Dual PhD Position at IIT, Italy and University of Tarragona, Spain

PhD position : Novel catalytic materials based on nanocomposites for water gas shift reaction and selective carbon monoxide oxidation
Tutors: Liberato Manna, Tania Montanari
The aim of this theme is to develop new catalysts for CO abatement in hydrogen-rich gases for fuel cells, produced through steam reforming of fossil fuels, alcohols or biomass. In polymer electrolyte fuel cells, due to their low operational temperature, the platinum catalyst is likely to be poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO), and the performance of the unit is degraded when CO is present in the reformed gas beyond a few ppm. In general, a CO removal unit is provided downstream a reforming unit which produces the reformed gas rich in hydrogen, and CO is selectively converted and removed through a series of reactions (water gas shift and, e.g., selective carbon monoxide oxidation) in order to obtain a CO concentration in the reformed gas <10 ppm. Typical catalysts for CO conversion are based on Cu-Zn, CeO2-Au, and Fe3O4-Au. The aims here are to prepare new composite materials made of metal oxide nanocrystals/metal domains. These composite are expected to exhibit catalytic properties towards the water gas shift reaction and preferential CO oxidation. The steps involved will be: (a) Synthesis of various metal-metal oxide (MO) based nanostructures (by employing both non-hydrolytic and hydrolytic methods). (b) Assembly of these A-MO heterostructures to form composite materials. (c) Catalytic tests and catalyst characterization. The ideal applicant should have a background in chemistry or chemical engineering with familiarity with catalysis.
Conditions:
The research will be carried out in a stimulating, multidisciplinary environment promoting excellence in materials science, at the interface between chemistry, materials science and engineering.
Excellent networking and training opportunities, including participation in summer schools, short research stays at other network partner organizations and attendance of international conferences.
This activity could be within a Marie Curie ITN network. If the European commission approves the project, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply for a Dual PhD together with the University of Tarragona, Spain, which will include a one year research stay at the University of Tarragona.
Mobility: Applicants can be nationals of any country but must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. In case the candidate opts for a dual PhD degree, the mobility requisite applies also to Spain.
For further details concerning the research project, please contact: liberato.manna@iit.it, tania.montanari@iit.it

http://www.iit.it/en/openings/phd-calls/1583-phd-position-2-novel-catalytic-materials-based-on-nanocomposites-for-water-gas-shift-reaction-and-selective-carbon-monoxide-oxidation.html