High Entropy Alloys for new PGM (Platinum Group Metal) applications

This project, supported by Johnson Matthey, will develop and exploit a high-throughput workflow for the discovery of new PGM containing high-entropy alloys, addressing an important industrial challenge in the net zero era.

The energy transition is resulting in a shift in the markets for Platinum Group Metals (PGM: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir & Ru) with most demand coming from the catalytic convertors in petrol and diesel engines. With the move to sustainable fuels and alternative powertrains the demand on these metals will inevitably shift with platinum having applications across the hydrogen ecosystem, predominantly in fuel cells and electrolysers, but the demand for Rh and Pd expected to fall. This provides an opportunity for new applications for PGM to be developed, especially in combination with other metallic elements in high entropy alloys (HEAs).

HEAs are complex, substitutionally disordered materials that offer a vast experimental space for discovery of catalysts but moving beyond random, conventional, discovery pathways remain a challenge. This project will develop and establish a high-throughput workflow to prepare and characterise arrays of HEAs using reported solution-based synthesis routes to discover new PGM containing HEA compositions and evaluate their properties. Informed by the results of the high-throughput workflow further characterisation tools will be developed to select new HEAs as catalyst candidates. This may involve creating machine learning models to aid in the selection of new libraries of materials.

This project will develop and exploit a high-throughput workflow for the discovery of new PGM containing high-entropy alloys, addressing an important industrial challenge in the net zero era. The workflow will use existing automated systems available in the group e.g. automated weighing and liquid dispensing, and design and develop new tools to enable the specific chemistry required for this project e.g. the thermal treatment of arrays of the precursors to form the HEA nanoparticles.

Further the project will make use of digital tools, e.g. automated data analysis being developed by other Johnson Matthey supported students and machine learning models to assist in the understanding of workflow outputs and deciding on which compositions to explore in subsequent arrays.

The academics involved in the supervision of the project have a strong 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.

Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible no later than 30^th June 2025. We will review applications as they come in. The position will be closed when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Please review our guide on “How to Apply” 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 CCPR155 when applying.

We strongly encourage applicants to get in touch with the supervisory team to get a better idea of the project.

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.