Motivated students are invited for a fully funded 3 year PhD studentship in metal organic framework membrane preparation and testing for CO₂capture. Membrane based gas separation improved significantly over the years. Low energy costs, ease of operation, and simple module design made the technology attractive. Although stable membrane fabrication is challenging, metal organic framework (MOFs) thin films can separate CO₂from natural and flue gases, respectively.

The student will develop methods to prepare stable MOF thin films. As a first step, structures that exhibit better separation properties in simulation studies will be synthesized. Initial performance tests will be conducted by single gas system. Membranes without defects will be further investigated by home-made mixed gas experiment rig. Based on results new MOF structures may be synthesized. Project will also aim to optimize membrane preparation for commercial scale. The project will be supervised by Dr Begum Tokay.

Students should have high academic merit with a first-class or very good 2:1 honors degree in chemical engineering, and material science or engineering or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in chemical engineering backgrounds. Students should have strong interest in investigating new materials, testing and experimental design. Good communication/written/oral presentation skills will also be required. Having previous lab experience is an advantage.

The studentship is available to home students and also EU students who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the preceding 3 years. The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and a tax-free stipend for three years (£13,726 for the 2014-15 academic years) due to funding restrictions.

Informal enquiries prior to application may be addressed to: Dr. Begum Tokay, email:begum.tokay<στο>nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please send a statement of purpose, a CV with a cover letter, contact information of two academic references to Dr. Begum Tokay. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham (or via Skype).