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ElectrochemicalCO2 reduction is an attractive option in the field of sustainableenergy system, as it turns waste into useful chemical fuels, thus closing thecarbon cycle and moving towards a carbon-neutral economy. Electrolyzers are akey technology for electrochemical CO2 conversion, but several oftheir components still require significant improvement to achieve higherefficiency and durability. One critical element is the membrane, whoseperformance is strongly governed by its ion permeability and conductivity.
The majordrawback with CO2 electrolyzers is the low solubility of CO2in aqueous electrolytes. Moving from the liquid phase to the purely vapourphase CO2 electrolysis is an advantageous move. However, the celllifetime is still limited by excess water transport and flooding of the gasdiffusion electrode. In addition, there are other factors such as the transportof cations and carbonate leading to undesired precipitation which further reducelifetime and productivity. Therefore, a purely vapour phase electrolyserrequires certain improvements, including controlled water and ion transportthrough the membrane.
By implementingfundamental research on nanomaterials, combined with engineering principles,the properties of membranes can be systematically improved. One promisingapproach is the introduction of a thin-film barrier layer in the electrolyzer, based on inorganic 2Dnanocrystals. This can offer a controlled watertransport through the membrane, which behave as a solid electrolyte, offeringhigh protonic conductivity and ultimately lowering the cell voltage. This canalso act as a selective layer for specific ion transport, which reduces cellvoltage further. This makes a meaningful improvement towards the long-termstability of the cell. Henceforth, the implementation of such thin-film barrierlayer, in electrochemical devices such as fuel cell or electrolyzers is apromising and advantageous step.
Work description: The student will perform systematic screeningof 2D nanomaterials integrated in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode assembly andtested in the electrolyzer system at imec. Techniques such as wet chemistryand solid-state synthesis will be used for the preparation of 2D nanocrystals.The deposited layer will be characterized by ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS, andRaman spectroscopy. The conductivity of the layer will be assessed using impedancemeasurements. Water/electrolyte permeability of the deposited layer will bemeasured in an external cell under varying gas pressure. The ion's transport will be quantified byICP-MS and gas chromatograph, respectively. Initial experiments will beconducted on planar electrodes, and then the optimized system will be implementedon advanced nanomesh electrodes developed at imec.
Contacts: < email deleted for security reasons >
< email deleted for security reasons >
< email deleted for security reasons >
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Energy, Materials Engineering, Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Matias Jobbagy (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Debittree Choudhury (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-089. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The majordrawback with CO2 electrolyzers is the low solubility of CO2in aqueous electrolytes. Moving from the liquid phase to the purely vapourphase CO2 electrolysis is an advantageous move. However, the celllifetime is still limited by excess water transport and flooding of the gasdiffusion electrode. In addition, there are other factors such as the transportof cations and carbonate leading to undesired precipitation which further reducelifetime and productivity. Therefore, a purely vapour phase electrolyserrequires certain improvements, including controlled water and ion transportthrough the membrane.
By implementingfundamental research on nanomaterials, combined with engineering principles,the properties of membranes can be systematically improved. One promisingapproach is the introduction of a thin-film barrier layer in the electrolyzer, based on inorganic 2Dnanocrystals. This can offer a controlled watertransport through the membrane, which behave as a solid electrolyte, offeringhigh protonic conductivity and ultimately lowering the cell voltage. This canalso act as a selective layer for specific ion transport, which reduces cellvoltage further. This makes a meaningful improvement towards the long-termstability of the cell. Henceforth, the implementation of such thin-film barrierlayer, in electrochemical devices such as fuel cell or electrolyzers is apromising and advantageous step.
Work description: The student will perform systematic screeningof 2D nanomaterials integrated in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode assembly andtested in the electrolyzer system at imec. Techniques such as wet chemistryand solid-state synthesis will be used for the preparation of 2D nanocrystals.The deposited layer will be characterized by ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS, andRaman spectroscopy. The conductivity of the layer will be assessed using impedancemeasurements. Water/electrolyte permeability of the deposited layer will bemeasured in an external cell under varying gas pressure. The ion's transport will be quantified byICP-MS and gas chromatograph, respectively. Initial experiments will beconducted on planar electrodes, and then the optimized system will be implementedon advanced nanomesh electrodes developed at imec.
Contacts: < email deleted for security reasons >
< email deleted for security reasons >
< email deleted for security reasons >
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Energy, Materials Engineering, Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Matias Jobbagy (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Debittree Choudhury (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-089. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
- resume
- motivation
- current study
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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