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Sustainable biobased coatings for radiation curing techniques

Reference number CCPR160

Funding
Self-funded
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
Subject area
Chemistry
How to apply

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Overview

This project aims to produce novel 100% renewable polymer coatings in close partnership with industry (Tata Steel) to deliver real sustainable solutions with applications in the automotive industry and engineering today.

About this opportunity

Steel production in the UK supply high-quality steel products to the most demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging an engineering which are the at the backbone of a myriad of economic activity with strategic relevance today. Steel production lies at the core of the development of new materials and products with their clients in the search of more sustainable and competitive products. The traditional and current system of natural gas fired ovens to create OCS (Organic Coated Steel) products is under much pressure with the curing of organic coatings via radiation techniques (electron beam and UV processes) becoming the most promising alternative. It is estimated that replacement of gas-powered furnaces with radiation curing techniques  would result in a 22-33% reduction of carbon emissions. Furthermore, changing current petroleum based coatings to biobased and renewable coating offers further reductions in carbon footprint and opportunities to develop new chemistries and more competitive coatings with additional functionalities. It is therefore of vital importance to the UK steel industry to modernise by developing solutions that incorporate both of this more sustainable options together and deliver biobased radiation curable coatings for its existing costumers.

In this project, the student will develop the necessary coatings via polymerising of biorenewable monomers and then formulating them into suitable final compositions. This project will combine the academic expertise in sustainable polymers (see further reading link to publications) with the inhouse expertise in coatings for steel and their applications in Tata Steel and their commitment towards sustainable products. Additionally, we will explore opportunities for developing AI methods in combination with automated robots in the MIF and MBR to elucidate structure/functionality relationships leading to faster discoveries in this area.

Further reading

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/10/6/600

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.iecr.6b04806

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.iecr.6b03260

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pola.28173

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Who is this for?

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Chemistry. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry will also be considered. Preferably, the student will have studied and be able to demonstrate expertise in polymer chemistry. Expertise in the utilisation of robots and AI in formulation and polymerisation will be highly appreciated.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Prof Jose A. Lopez-Sanchez jals@liv.ac.uk https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/jose-lopez-sanchez

     
    Dr Savill, Tim <Tim.Savill@tatasteeleurope.com>

     

    		 Industrial supervisor
    Dr. Johnson-Oughtibridge, Emily Emily.Oughtibridge@tatasteeleurope.com

     

    		 Industrial supervisor

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

    Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project.  Please ensure you include the project title and reference number CCPR160 when applying.

    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. For example, if you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result.

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Funding your PhD

The UKRI funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees and pay a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at the UKRI minimum rate (the UKRI minimum stipend rate for the academic year 2026/27 is £21,805 and will increase in line with the UKRI guidelines for subsequent years).  

Because this is an Industrial CASE studentship, we are able to pay an additional £1000 per year to the student

The Studentship also comes with a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.

This studentship does not cover international student’s tuition fees.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.
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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Prof Jose A. Lopez-Sanchez
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