November 10, 2024

ESR 1

Production and characterization of novel CO2 hydrogenation thermo-catalysts based on bimetallic deposited clusters

Dr. Didier Grandjean / Prof. Ewald Janssens

Objectives

  • To deposit mass-selected bimetallic clusters, based on 3d-metals mixed with noble or post-transition metal, onto oxides supports ;
  • To investigate catalytic activity in microreactors,
  • To characterize the mixed cluster structural and electronic properties by XAFS ex situ and in situ under CO2 hydrogenation;
  • To measure the catalytic activity of clusters on flat supports with TPD and on powders (delivered by TCL) with gas-flow reactors.

Expected Results

  • Identification of high-performance CO2 hydrogenation catalysts; detailed dynamic structural changes under reaction condition; understanding of the reaction mechanism in collaboration with theoretical modelling

Dissemination

  • Catchy Outreaching Events

Planned Secondments

  • DTU for activity characterization in microreactors;
  • PSI for in situ XAFS structural characterization under reaction conditions;
  • TCL training in magnetron technology and to acquire industrial skills


Job Announcement

Doctoral Student / Early Stage Researcher (ESR) position

We are seeking the ESR 1 of our recently funded Marie Sklodowska Curie-ITN CATCHY project on the “Design, implementation and production upscaling of novel, high-performance, multimetallic cluster-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation and electro-reduction”.

Candidates should have (or be about to obtain) a master degree in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related subject, be enthusiastic about experimental research, and ideally have a background in one or more of the following fields: physical chemistry, cluster physics, theoretical chemistry, nanomaterial science, catalysis, XAFS spectroscopy, electron microscopy. The successful candidate will have obtained excellent grades both in his/her Bachelor and Master degrees.

The ESR 1 at the Quantum Solid State Physics group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of KU Leuven will be in charge of the production and the characterization of series of mass-selected bi- and multimetallic clusters deposited on different substrates. This activity includes optimization and control of production (composition, size) and deposition (substrates) parameters using the UHV cluster deposition setup, as well as the cluster morphology (following cluster surface interaction) by means of scanning probe microscopy techniques (AFM and STM), SEM and TEM on selected samples.
He/She will participate to the X-ray absorption measurements at the Swiss Light Source at our PSI partner in Switzerland and at the ESRF synchrotron facility, Grenoble, France, and contribute to the analysis of the data. In parallel he/she will complete his investigation by testing the catalytic activity and selectivity of powdered selected systems in a gas flow microreactor fitted with an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer detection system as well as using the Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) system. Three periods of 1-2 months of mobility (secondment) at our EU partners are foreseen.

We offer a full time PhD position. A PhD at KU Leuven typically takes 4 years, where the contract is renewed yearly after positive evaluation. The starting date should ideally be May 2021, or before July 2021. For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact Prof. Ewald Janssens (ewald.janssens @ kuleuven.be).

Please check the employment conditions and apply online below before January 31st, 2021.