Novel diagnostics for understanding cross-talk in carbon dioxide electrolysers

About the Project

Carbon dioxide electrolysis offers a promising route to producing fuels and chemicals while reducing reliance on fossil resources and supporting the transition to net zero. However, the performance and durability of carbon dioxide electrolysers are limited by poorly understood degradation processes, particularly those arising from cross-talk and product crossover between electrodes. New diagnostic approaches are therefore required to probe these effects under realistic operating conditions.

This PhD project will develop and apply novel online, in situ and operando diagnostic techniques to study cross-talk phenomena in carbon dioxide electrolysers. The student will combine electrochemical testing with advanced analytical methods, including mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy, to quantify reaction products, impurities and intermediates, and to relate these measurements to device performance and degradation mechanisms. The work will span both fundamental method development and application to industrially relevant electrolyser systems.

The project is a close collaboration between Imperial College London and NPL, with additional industrial engagement through Johnson Matthey. The student will be based at Imperial, but will spend time working at the NPL site in Teddington, which offers access to a wide range of advanced measurement capabilities.

Funding Notes

The position may eventually become open for non UK students too