PhD Studentship: Structure-property Relationships in New Natural Zeolite Ion-exchange Materials for Nuclear Waste Remediation

Applications are sought for a PhD project under the supervision of Dr Phoebe Allan at the University of Birmingham. This studentship will scope new porous materials for use as ion-exchangers in nuclear effluent treatment.

The Site Ion-exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP) at Sellafield treats 100s of cubic meters of wastewater contaminated with radioactive Cs-137 and Sr-90 - which account for 99% of the medium-lived radioactivity in spent reactor fuel - each day. This is done via ion-exchange using aluminosilicate zeolites. Natural zeolite sources are preferred for this application because they are cheap, abundant and easily processable. The current industrial standard material, a clinoptilolite sourced from Mud Hills, California, is highly effective for removing Cs-137, but this analogue is unusual in that it outperforms other, seemingly isostructural clinoptilolites for Sr-90 uptake. However, current stocks of Mud Hills are expected to be depleted by the 2030s and therefore the discovery or development of new ion-exchange materials with comparable Cs/Sr uptake is of critical importance.

In collaboration with scientists from Sellafield Ltd and the National Nuclear Laboratory, this project will scope and develop new ion-exchangers from natural zeolite sources. The project will use synchrotron characterisation methods including x-ray diffraction and fluorescence mapping, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and computed tomography to link the atomic and microstructure of zeolite materials to the ion-exchange properties they display. This will accelerate the discovery and deployment of new ion-exchange materials for current and future nuclear waste streams, such as those from small modular reactors.

The successful applicant will join a team of researchers in the group of Phoebe Allan working on materials chemistry for sustainability applications. The project will provide training in a wide-range of state-of-the-art scientific skills training directly applicable to career in academia or industry including zeolite chemistry, ion-exchange, x-ray diffraction, spectroscopy and computed tomography. There will be the opportunity to work in a team to perform experiments at central facilities such as Diamond Light Source. This will be complemented by training in scientific writing and presentation skills and opportunities to interaction with and present to industry collaborators and to partake in undergraduate teaching and outreach activities.

The University of Birmingham was founded in 1900 on an anti-discrimination ethos accepting men and women on an equal basis. Today, as a community of over 150 nationalities in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, we remain committed to promoting equality, diversity and fairness irrespective of age, disability, gender, pregnancy or marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Candidates should have or expect to receive a first or upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, materials science or other related discipline. Familiarity with solid-state chemistry, zeolites/porous materials, nuclear chemistry or x-ray diffraction or x-ray imaging would be an advantage. The ability to work in a team and a willingness to develop new skills are essential. Please email Dr Phoebe Allan (p.allan@bham.ac.uk) with a CV in advance of applying.

Funding notes: Funding for this project is only available for UK students.

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.  

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