The PLASyntH2 project granted in the framework of the Belgian Excellence of Science (EOS) program of FWO-FNRS is looking for 10 PhD students and 4 post-docs in the field of plasma chemistry, plasma technology or plasma physics.
PLASyntH2: Plasma-based green hydrogen synthesis from hydrocarbons
Plasma-based H2 synthesis from hydrocarbons is an interesting complementary approach to water electrolysis, because it also uses renewable electricity and has no CO2 emission, and in addition, it can valorize CH4 and plastic waste, generate high value C-materials as side-product, and is thermodynamically more favorable. However, before exploiting this application, it is crucial to gain a better fundamental understanding of the plasma processes.
This is exactly addressed in our project. We will perform green H2 synthesis experiments from various hydrocarbons and in several plasma types, in gas-phase and in contact with liquids, and develop a multi-diagnostics platform for time- and spatially-resolved characterization, as well as novel multi-dimensional, multi-scale models, to study the underlying mechanisms in all plasma systems.
We will start with simple molecules, i.e., CH4 (gas-phase) and (m)ethanol (liquid-phase), and subsequently develop our methodologies to study H2 synthesis from alkenes (C3-C5 and higher) and styrene, as model systems for (both gas-phase and liquid-phase) pyrolysis products of plastic waste. Besides determining the H2 yield and energy consumption for all systems, and the detailed plasma diagnostics and modelling, we will also characterize the synthesized C, and target the latter as extra value-added product. The project outcomes will lay the basis for green H2 synthesis by plasma technology and will open up a new area in the field of plastic waste recycling.
PLASyntH2is a collaboration between the following PI’s and universities in Belgium:
- BOGAERTS Annemie, Coordinator – University of Antwerp (www.uantwerpen.be/plasmant)
- DE GEYTER Nathalie – Ghent University (www.ugent.be/ea/appliedphysics/en)
- MORENT Rino – Ghent University (www.ugent.be/ea/appliedphysics/en)
- RENIERS François – Université Libre de Bruxelles (http://chemsin.ulb.be//)
- SNYDERS Rony – University of Mons (http://w3.umh.ac.be/~chinorg/)
Job profile
- You should have a PhD diploma or should be expecting to obtain a PhD in the near future in the field of plasma physics, plasma chemistry or plasma technology.
- Specific experience in either atmospheric plasma technology, plasma engineering, plasma diagnostics or plasma computational fluid dynamics modeling is mandatory.
- You should show an excellent track record of publications in one of these requested research fields.
- You are a team player, you have a strong personality and you work in a result-oriented manner.
- You are creative and willing to work in a multidisciplinary context.
- You are proficient in oral and written English and have strong communication skills.
We offer to postdoctoral fellows:
- A full-time position, initially offered for one year, but it could be renewed up to maximum four years upon positive evaluation.
- You will be directly embedded in a research consortium composed of plasma-oriented international research teams of different Belgian universities.
- You will have access to state-of-the-art tools and facilities, a rich training environment and the possibility to collaborate with many other groups within excellence-based universities.
- Envisaged starting date: as soon as possible.
How to apply
Applications must contain the following documents in English:
- Personal (motivation) letter
- Curriculum vitae (an official proof of English language skills is an added value)
- List of publications (if available)
- Transcripts of B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses and grades
- Copy of your diplomas (if already available)
- Indication of your preference for experiments or modelling or a combination of both
- Indication of your preference of university/research group where you want to apply (see websites above); PhD students should indicate two research groups or their preferred research topics
The requested documents should be sent to Prof. dr. Annemie Bogaerts (PLASyntH2@uantwerpen.be) before February 28th, 2022, entering as subject of your mail: PLASyntH2_your name