• Application material: cover letter, CV in French or English
• Application deadline: January 15th, 2024
• Starting date: April 1st, 2024
• Contract duration: 36 months
• Please send your complete application material with subject “PhD Position Application IMP-LMI” to: Dr. Fabrice GOUANVE and Prof. Arnaud BRIOUDE.

Context

The growing demand for reliable and sustainable renewable energy sources is driving the current development of a hydrogen-based economy. As a consequence, dihydrogen (H2) gas is key for future transportation technologies and is essential in many chemical processes involved, for example, in the elaboration of electronic components. Nowadays, cost-effective and efficient means to separate H2 gas from other species are still challenging and membrane separation approaches are reviewed as an advantageous process due to the environmentally friendly nature, economically viable pathway, and easily adaptable technology and simple integration in existing industrialized apparatus. Many polymer membranes (Polyimides, Polysulfone, cellulose acetate…) have been designed for selective H2 extraction. Despite their excellent mechanical strength and versatility, pure polymeric membrane needs serious improvements in terms of permeability and selectivity. Researchers have then developed the concept of “Mixed Matrix Membrane” combining inorganic fillers distributed at the nanoscale in a polymer matrix with the hope to solve the polymeric membrane’s trade-off issues. Among all the inorganic fillers available, palladium (Pd) metal is more promising due to their advantages such as its auto-catalyzed nature for H2 dissociation and outstanding permeability. The objective of the proposed project is to elaborate and characterize membranes consisting of a percolating nanoscale network of palladium nanoparticles imbedded into a polymer matrix using different routes for H2 separation application. The work will take place in the Laboratoire Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, UMR5223 (IMP) and the Laboratoire des Multimatériaux et Interfaces, UMR 5615 (LMI)

IMP is a joint research unit between the CNRS and Université de Lyon1. Its research activities range from the tailored synthesis of macromolecular architectures and polymer processing to the elaboration of complex materials and establishment of structure- properties relationships. The IMP gathers together complementary skills: synthesis, structural characterization and physico-chemical properties, in the fields of polymers and materials science.

LMI is a Joint Research Unit between the CNRS and Université de Lyon1 in the field of Material Sciences. Its main activities are the design, development and characterization of molecules, materials and multi-materials, mainly inorganic. The LMI will provide expertise on NP chemistry, structural characterization and gas processes.

Profil

The applicant should have a good knowledge in physico-chemistry of polymers and a strong inclination for experimentation and techniques of polymer characterization. The candidate looks forward to working in a collaborative, multicultural, and open-minded team and must show enthusiasm, initiative and autonomy.