PhD Studentship: Engineering Nanosensors Using Electrocrystallisation

Principal Supervisor: 

Fully-funded PhD studentship available on nanosensor engineering by electrocrystallisation with the opportunity to start immediately. The overall goal of the project is to create a platform technology for nanosensor scale up by understanding the nanoscale phenomena in electrodeposition. Electroanalytical and nanomaterials characterisation methods will be used to investigate the nucleation and crystal growth mechanisms of charge-transfer complexes (CTCs) on ultramicroelectrodes and nanoelectrode patterns. The knowledge gained will be used to achieve controlled electrodeposition of CTC nanowire sensors on microchips. This project will contribute to UK’s global competitiveness in high-tech areas such as advanced manufacturing of wearable microelectronics and the internet-of-things sensors.

Electrodeposition is used by electroplating industry to deposit monolayers, thin films, and thick coatings. Understanding of electrochemical nucleation and crystal growth at the nanoscale is necessary for widening the adoption of electrodeposition by high-tech industries such as energy storage, advanced electrode materials, and sensing. Precise electrodeposition of nanowires and thin films on microchips holds the potential for scalable manufacturing of nanosensors.

This project seeks to address a significant knowledge gap related to electrodeposition at the nanoscale, with a focus on CTCs from the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) family. Recent progress in nanomaterials characterisation and simulations reveals an intricate process involving nanocluster building blocks, their interactions, and multistep crystallisation pathways. Electrodeposition provides a unique means to study early-stage crystallisation because of the additional control provided by the applied overpotential. To bridge this knowledge gap, the project outlines specific aims: (1) obtain dynamic structural data on early-stage CTC electrocrystallisation through real-time microscopic and electrochemical measurements integrating the ultramicroelectrode technique; (2) scale up findings from single ultramicroelectrodes to nanoelectrode arrays; and (3) demonstrate impact on technology by creating gas nanosensors using CTC electrodeposition.

If successful, you will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of Professor Guangzhao Mao, an internationally recognised scientist and the Head of School of Engineering at The University of Edinburgh.