The surfaces of catalyst nanoparticles and their interaction with their support dictate their activity and selectivity. A lot of information on organic molecule – nanoparticle-support interaction is ad-hoc and based on mechanisms obtained using indirect averaging techniques. This makes it difficult to get an idea of variation and thus optimise the properties of the catalyst materials. Scanning transmission electron microscopes allow high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy to investigate localised bonding within materials. 

Advances in electron microscope hardware achieved within the last year means that it is now possible to do spectroscopy with a 10-fold increase in energy resolution. This increase in energy resolution, combined with first principles modelling, makes it possible to interpret the nanoparticle interactions. This has the potential to completely revolutionise the understanding of catalysis and bring about the localized understanding of interactions of organic molecules with nanoparticles and support. The UK SuperSTEM facility will receive one of these new microscopes in early 2015, the first in Europe. This project will use this cutting-edge technology, along with density functional theory modelling, to investigate the surface of commercial catalyst particles before and after reaction. 

Candidates are considered in the January 2015 admissions cycle which has an application deadline of 23 January 2015. This 3.5 year EPSRC DTP studentship will provide full fees and maintenance for a citizen of the UK or for a citizen of the EU who has spent the previous three years (or more) in the UK undertaking undergraduate study. The stipend is expected to be at least £15,000 per year. Other EU citizens should read the guidance at http://www.materials.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate/eu.html for further information about eligibility.

Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Dr Rebecca Nicholls (rebecca.nicholls<στο>materials.ox.ac.uk). General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e-mail tograduate.studies<στο>materials.ox.ac.uk. You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies and further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found athttp://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/index.html.