[OPEN POSITION]: PhD student in Materials Chemistry

PhD student in Materials Chemistry

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Closing date: 24 April 2018.

The Department of Materials- and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences with about 130 employees. The research activities of MMK are in the areas of Materials and Solid-state Chemistry focusing on different classes of materials; e.g. ceramics and glasses, self-assembled and porous materials, and soft matter. The work often encompasses synthesis, characterisation by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, NMR studies, modelling with computer simulations of materials with a potential for various applications. Environmental aspects are an important part of the research activities.

Project descriptionProject title: In-situ characterization of nanoparticles for electrocatalytic production of hydrogen.

Supervisor: Associate Prof. Germán Salazar-Alvarez, german.salazar.alvarez@mmk.su.se.

This PhD project will focus on the synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials for the partial oxidation of alcohols and their operando characterization using total scattering at synchrotron facilities and in-situ IR spectroscopy.

The target of the program is to develop efficient and selective catalysts through an effort involving theory, materials and electrocatalytic design and testing. The approach in the present project is in particular to fabricate and characterize nanomaterials to partially oxidize excess glycerol from biofuel production and waste carbohydrates from wood-based Kraft pulp processes to produce valuable chemicals and hydrogen. This PhD project is part of the program Materials for energy applications funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF). The project will be carried out in close collaboration within the project consortium consisting of researchers from KTH and SU and a couple of Swedish enterprises. A considerable part of the experiments will be carried out at synchrotron facilities around the world, primarily in Hamburg.

The successful candidate should have a background in chemistry or materials science with an interest in nanoparticle synthesis and in utilizing characterization methods such X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis. Experience in PDF analysis of nanomaterials and other related synchrotron techniques is advantageous. Knowledge of IR spectroscopy and TEM is meritorious but not a requirement.

More details on requirements and how to apply at 

https://www.su.se/english/about/working-at-su/phd?rmpage=job&rmjob=5052&rmlang=UK

[OPEN POSITION]: PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry

PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Closing date: 24 April 2018.

The Department of Materials- and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences with about 130 employees. The research activities of MMK are in the areas of Materials and Solid-state Chemistry focusing on different classes of materials; e.g. ceramics and glasses, self-assembled and porous materials, and soft matter. The work often encompasses synthesis, characterisation by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, NMR studies, modelling with computer simulations of materials with a potential for various applications. Environmental aspects are important for the research activities.

Project descriptionProject title: Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles for electrocatalytic production of hydrogen.

Supervisor: Professor Mats Johnsson, mats.johnsson@mmk.su.se.

The project will focus on synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles aimed as electrocatalysts for hydrogen production based on excess glycerol from biofuel production and waste carbohydrates from wood-based Kraft pulp processes.

Many research projects aiming at hydrogen production focus on water splitting. The water oxidation reaction is associated with high anodic potentials due to unfavorable thermodynamics and slow reaction kinetics. Oxygen is a by-product from hydrogen production from water and is normally just released into the atmosphere. The approach in the present project is to replace the anodic reaction with partial oxidation of alcohols that results in a large decrease in electrical energy demand for hydrogen evolution and also valuable anodic products. This PhD project is part of the program Materials for energy applications funded by the foundation for strategic research (SSF). The project group consists of researchers from KTH and SU and the PhD student will also interact with Swedish enterprises. The target of the program is development of efficient and selective catalysts through an effort involving theory, materials and electrocatalytic design and testing.

The successful candidate should have a background in chemistry or materials science with an interest in synthetic inorganic chemistry and in utilizing several characterization methods such as SEM-EDS, TEM, Powder X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical measurements. Knowledge of those methods is a plus although not strictly required.

More info on requirements and how to apply at:

https://www.su.se/english/about/working-at-su/phd?rmpage=job&rmjob=4999&rmlang=UK

[Project grant] SSF: Electrolysis for hydrogen as energy carrier

A team led by Ann Cornell, professor at the Department of Applied Electrochemistry, KTH, has been awarded 27,6 MSEK by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research SSF, to develop "Electrolysis for hydrogen as energy carrier". Congratulations!

Co-applicants:

- Gunnar Henriksson, KTH
- Mats Johnsson, SU
- Lars Petterson, SU
- German Salazar-Alvarez, SU

Contact:

Ann Cornell

(amco@kth.se)

Mer info på svenska här:
https://strategiska.se/pressmeddelande/deras-nya-material-ska-ge-effektivare-energisystem/

[Project Grant] Extended DREAM: Multiple-length scale approach to functional nanomaterials

A team led by German Salazar-Alvarez, researcher at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, has been awarded 10 MSEK by the Swedish Research Council, VR, to develop sample environments that will allow the in-situ and in-operando multiscale characterization of novel functional nanomaterials such as biomaterials, battery components, and magnetic nanoparticles. Coupled to the high brilliance of the ESS source the project will provide exceptional opportunities for the envisioned materials. Also, testing of the new sample environments at existing neutron facilities will promote the training of the Swedish community in neutron scattering.

Project "Extended DREAM: Multiple-length scale approach to functional nanomaterials”

Co-applicants:

- Kristina Edström, Uppsala University

- Werner Schweika, DREAM-ESS 

- Gunnar Svensson, MMK-SU 

- Peter Svedlindh and Erik Wetterskog, Uppsala University

Contact:

German Salazar-Alvarez

(german@mmk.su.se)

[OPEN ACCESS] Dynamic growth modes of ordered arrays and mesocrystals during drop-casting of iron oxide nanocubes

Cryst. Eng. Comm. 2013
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41871E
Michael Agthe, Erik Wetterskog, Johanne Mouzon, German Salazar-Alvarez and Lennart Bergström

Abstract:
The growth modes of self-assembled mesocrystals and ordered arrays from dispersions of iron oxide nanocubes with a mean edge length of 9.6 nm during controlled solvent removal have been investigated with a combination of visible light video microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mesocrystals with translational and orientational order of sizes up to 10 μm are formed spontaneously during the final, diffusion-controlled, drop-casting stage when the liquid film is very thin and the particle concentration is high. Convection-driven deposition of ordered nanocube arrays at the edge of the drying droplet is a manifestation of the so called coffee-ring effect. Dendritic growth or fingering of rapidly growing arrays of ordered nanocubes could also be observed in a transition regime as the growth front moves from the initial three-phase contact line towards the centre of the original droplet.

Video abstract:


Cover page:
http://pubs.rsc.org.ezp.sub.su.se/en/content/articlepdf/2014/ce/c4ce90010c?page=search

[NEWS] Our review is one of the hotest articles in august!

at the Journal of Materials Chemistry A: http://blogs.rsc.org/jm/2013/08/07/hot-articles-for-august/

Functional hybrids based on biogenic nanofibrils and inorganic nanomaterials

Bernd Wicklein and German Salazar-Alvarez
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013,1, 5469-5478 
DOI: 10.1039/C3TA01690K, Feature Article

[REVIEW] [OPEN ACCESS] Functional hybrids based on biogenic nanofibrils and inorganic nanomaterials

Bernd Wicklein and German Salazar-Alvarez

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, Accepted Manuscript

DOI: 10.1039/C3TA01690K

Abstract:

This feature article reviews some of the recent work on the fabrication of functional hybrids based on biogenic nanofibers and inorganic nanomaterials with an emphasis on the functional properties and suggested potential applications. We also discuss some of the work oriented towards the formation of ordered materials in the pursuit of achieving a hierarchical construction. Besides the academic interest in biogenic nanomaterials, it is anticipated that the use of natural, abundant nanomaterials, e.g., cellulose, chitin, collagen, and silk, could provide affordable functional nanomaterials in developing countries.