Overview
In this project, we will exploit a high-throughput magnetron sputtering workflow developed in the group to synthesise, characterise and screen thin film compositional arrays of doped ruthenium oxides to discover the optimal heteroatoms for stability and performance under OER conditions. This project is supported by Johnson Matthey.
About this opportunity
Iridium and iridium oxide are the major industrially utilised catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton exchange membrane water electrolysers due to their high activity and stability. Research into new catalysts is driven by the need to thrift iridium out of the catalyst structure to both reduce electrolyser costs and ensure global iridium supply is sufficient for future world demands. Ruthenium oxides can replace iridium because of their excellent activity, lower cost and the higher natural abundance of ruthenium but suffer from low stability and poor catalyst lifetime. Heteroatom doping of ruthenium oxide is a promising pathway to stabilise Ru, although the number of potential dopants, different stabilisation mechanisms and synergistic effects of dopants on other performance affecting properties such as crystallinity, means identifying the optimal heteroatom dopants and catalyst compositions is presently challenging.
In this project we will exploit a high-throughput magnetron sputtering workflow developed in the group to synthesise, characterise and screen thin film compositional arrays of doped ruthenium oxides to discover the optimal heteroatoms for stability and performance under OER conditions. The project will require the development of automated protocols for acid stability of the compositions. High performing compositions identified from the thin film arrays will be scaled up using conventional synthesis methods and validated under industrially applicable conditions.
Other Johnson Matthey supported students are developing automated data analysis tools and machine learning models which will be used in the project to assist in the understanding of the workflow outputs and deciding on which compositions to explore in subsequent arrays.
The academics involved in the supervision of the project have an existing close working relationship with Johnson Matthey and have the required expertise to deliver the project. Prof Rosseinsky is an expert in new materials discovery complimented by Prof Cowan’s expertise in electrocatalytic systems targeted by this project. The project will be supported by the two research coordinators in Prof Rosseinsky’s group, Dr Chen has expertise in electrochemistry and electrocatalysis while Dr Manning is expert in materials synthesis.
This project is offered under the University of Liverpool EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry along with other studentships for students from backgrounds spanning the physical and computer sciences to start in October 2025. These students will develop core expertise in robotic, digital, chemical and physical thinking, which they will apply in their domain-specific research in materials design, discovery and processing. By working with each other and benefiting from a tailored training programme they will become both leaders and fully participating team players, aware of the best practices in inclusive and diverse R&D environments.
Who is this opportunity for?
This project is open to UK and international applicants. Applicant will have, or be due to obtain, a master’s degree or equivalent related to Physical Science, Engineering or Computational Science. Exceptional applicant with a First Class bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.
We want all our staff and students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances.