Affordable and Clean Energy

The objective of this research is to develop competitive and innovative materials for the sustainable reduction of CO2 into e-fuels through the recovery of plastic waste. The nanomaterials will be developed from plastic wastes to later be used as catalysts or supports for active metals in the photoreduction of CO2. In the last, it is visioned to make a tangible marketable green photocatalyst based on the idea developed in this project. Hence, the goal of this project is training in the development of materials from waste to support the circular economy on environmental, energy and economic objectives.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Affordable and Clean Energy

Location of the position: Nano and Molecular Systems

Supervisors: Doc. Satu Ojala (Environmental and Chemical Engineering), Prof. Wei Cao (NANOMO), Dr. Harishchandra Singh (NANOMO), Dr. Ulrich Plachetka (AMO GmbH.)

Partners: AMO GmbH (Germany)

Growing energy demands need technological developments for photocatalysis. Semiconductors with band gaps ranging from visible to ultraviolet are favorable photocatalysts, as incident photons with energies greater or equal to the band gap liberate charge carriers that migrate to the surface leading to redox reactions. Existing technologies are limited by low quantum efficiency, charge recombination, and chemical back-reactions. The doctoral student will develop novel two-dimensional (2D) materials and Van der Waal’s heterostructures that satisfy band gap requirements using extensive density functional theory calculations combined with high throughput simulations. In a secondment in Switzerland, the student will conduct photoemission spectroscopy experiments to test/refine the predictions.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Affordable and Clean Energy

Location of the position: Nano and Molecular Systems (NANOMO)

Supervisors: Doc. S. Assa Aravindh (NANOMO), Prof. Matti Alatalo (NANOMO) and Prof. Claude Monney (University of Fribourg)

Partner: University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

The proposed work aims to generate hydrogen (H2) using heterojunctions of 1D/2D transition metal disulfides and hydroxides by Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (PHER) i.e., utilizing sunlight and water to generate H2. H2 finds its uses as a fuel to power vehicles and industries, generate electricity, heat our homes, and businesses, and is considered “green” as its production has zero CO2 emissions. Thus, the generation and use of H2 as fuel could make a huge difference in our carbon emissions and will be critical to achieving net zero. The outcome of this research work will be of paramount importance in energy storage and conversion applications and will also put forward an efficient PHER process through the fabrication of 1D/2D heterojunctions using immobilized transition metal disulfides and hydroxides.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Affordable and Clean Energy

Location of the position: Nano and Molecular Systems (NANOMO)

Supervisors: Prof. Wei Cao (NANOMO), Prof. Max Lemme (Electronic Devices, RWTH-Aachen and AMO GmbH), Dr. Ulrich Plachetka (AMO GmbH.) and Doc. Satu Ojala (Environmental and Chemical Engineering)

Partners: RWTH-Aachen (Germany), AMO GmbH. (Germany)