'Resource at Source’; Bio-Based Platforms for Transitioning to a Net Zero Chemical Industry

Department: Chemical Engineering
Title: ‘Resource at source’; bio-based platforms for transitioning to a net zero chemical industry
Application deadline: All year round
Research theme: Catalysis and porous materials

How to apply: https://uom.link/pgr-apply

No. of funded positions: 1

This 3.5 year PhD project is fully funded and open to home students. Tuition fees will be paid and you will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). We expect this to rise each year. Start date: September 2025.

The utilisation of biomass as a chemical feedstock is projected to intensify to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Biomass is already a crucial element across all energy sectors (electricity, heat and transport), and along with carbon dioxide and plastic waste, holds great potential as an alternative feedstock for the decarbonisation of the chemical industry (accounting for 6% of global CO2-eq emissions).

Biochemical processing of biomass leads to chemical compounds such as lactic acid (LA), glycerol and succinic acid, with a high potential as substitutes for petrochemicals. Specifically, LA presents great versatility, including the synthesis of green solvents, fine/commodity chemicals, polymers, and fuel precursors, and thus, it is considered a major bio-based platform chemical. While LA is commercially produced via saccharide fermentation, both environmental and economic issues have prompted research aimed at developing suitable chemocatalytic routes, particularly on the conversion of glucose. Nonetheless, the conversion of more challenging feedstocks, such as starch or cellulose, has, to some extent, been overlooked despite being abundantly present in food waste.

Through the combination of synthetic methodologies and advanced characterisation methods, the project seeks to develop multifunctional catalysts for the tandem Lewis/Brønsted acid conversion of starch into LA. Active sites will be precisely designed to promote individual steps in the reaction, controlling site location to direct product selectivity. The project will involve the application of laser-based spectroscopic techniques (Kerr-gated Raman and 2D IR), available at the Central Laser Facility (CLF), to investigate the active centres and mechanistic steps in working catalysts. Complementary synchrotron experiments at Diamond Light Source (DLS) are also planned during the project.

The PhD position will be based at the world-leading Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, the UK's leading science innovation and technology campus, situated 20 minutes from Oxford and one hour from London. This will facilitate research activities with the national facilities (CLF and DLS, global renowned centres of excellence), whilst allowing access to the world-class facilities available via the UK Catalysis Hub, also based on the Harwell Campus. These combined will allow the successful candidate to receive training in catalyst synthesis and lab-based characterisation, as well as advanced spectroscopic methods. As part of the PhD, the student will be encouraged and expected to present their results at national and international meetings. This project will be undertaken under the supervision of Dr. Ines Lezcano-Gonzalez and Dr. Christopher Parlett.

Applicants should have, or be expecting to achieve, a first or upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent in the subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related subject with an interest in catalysis and/or advanced characterization methods.

Please email Dr Christopher Parlett (Email: christopher.parlett@manchester.ac.uk) and Dr Ines Lezcano Gonzalez (Email: ines.lezcanogonzalez@manchester.ac.uk), for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience.

For any queries regarding making an application, please contact our admissions team FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk

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