PhD Studentship: Tandem Catalysts for Selective Acidic CO₂ Electrolysis - PhD (Faculty Funded)

Electrochemical CO₂ conversion offers a promising route to produce fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity. Acidic CO₂ electrolysis has the potential to improve carbon utilisation compared with conventional alkaline systems, but achieving high selectivity and stability remains a major challenge.

This PhD will develop advanced Cu-based and tandem catalysts for selective acidic CO₂ electrolysis, with particular emphasis on multicarbon products such as ethylene.

The research will investigate how catalyst composition, nanostructure, support properties and spatial organisation influence electrolysis performance. Possible approaches include nanostructured Cu catalysts, catalyst confinement within porous supports and tandem architectures that combine complementary catalytic functions.

The student will undertake catalyst synthesis, materials characterisation and electrochemical testing using gas-diffusion electrode and flow-cell systems. The work will evaluate catalyst performance in terms of product selectivity, reaction rate, carbon utilisation and long-term stability.

A central aim will be to identify catalyst designs that maintain strong electrochemical performance under practically relevant operating conditions, linking materials development directly with electrolysis performance.

The project is closely aligned with the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship led by Dr Mengnan Wang, which is developing scalable acidic CO₂ electrolysers for sustainable chemical manufacturing. Within this wider programme, this PhD will focus specifically on catalyst development and electrochemical performance.

The student will join an interdisciplinary research environment spanning electrocatalysis, electrochemical engineering and advanced materials, with opportunities to engage with academic and industrial collaborators.

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related discipline. Previous experience in electrochemistry, catalysis or materials synthesis would be beneficial but is not essential.

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship at the University of Exeter. Both UK and international applicants are eligible. The award will cover tuition fees and provide an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 per year.