About the Project To cultivate research talents with global leadership, interdisciplinary innovation capabilities, and international research collaboration capabilities, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool
University (XJTLU) fully leverages its characteristics of international education and builds upon the long-established strategic cooperation among XJTLU, Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), and the University of Liverpool (UoL). This initiative integrates top-tier research resources to launch a Joint Doctoral Supervision Programme across the three institutions. The migration of hydrogen protons within the electric double layer serves as a critical "logistics and supply" step in most electrochemical energy storage reactions. Investigating their migration behavior can not only reveal new mechanisms of electrochemical energy storage reactions butis also particularly important for addressing key technical challenges in fields such as designing high-performance catalysts and exploring interfacial processes in multi-scale, multi-component complex electrochemical systems. As the simplest charged ion in electrochemical reactions, hydrogen protons play essential roles in mass transfer and charge/energy exchange in key carbon-neutral energy storage reactions, such as electrolytic water splitting for hydrogen production, electrochemical CO2 reduction, and electrochemical ammonia synthesis. Furthermore, the migration rate of hydrogen protons within the electric double layer directly determines the overall efficiency of the energy storage reaction. Therefore, studying the migration behavior of hydrogen protons in the electric double layer is fundamental for understanding the microscopic kinetic properties of electrochemical reactions. Building on the our recent work on the hydrogen evolution reaction, this project will employ the grand canonical fixed potential method to investigate the influence of voltage on key physicochemical properties, such as the molecular structure of the electric double layer on a Pt(111) electrode surface, the energy barrier for water molecule reorganization, the energy barrier for hydrogen proton hopping, and the charge exchange between the electrolyte and the electrode during hydrogen proton migration. The aim is to provide guidance for addressing factors that limit hydrogen proton migration in electrochemical reactions. Applications Applications accepted all year round. Self-Funded PhD Students Only. Joint Supervisory Team XJTLU supervisor: Dr. Graham Dawson XJTU supervisor: Professor Guoping Gao UoL supervisor: Dr. Alex Neale XJTLU co-supervisor: Dr. Qiuchen Dong Requirements A UK first-class or upper second-class honours Bachelor's degree and a UK Master's degree with Merit (or their equivalent) are required for PhD admissions. Exceptional candidates holding only a Bachelor's degree may be considered on an individual basis. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 or above, if the first language is not English. For more information about entry requirements and admission procedures of PhD programme at XJTLU, please visit: Entry Requirement - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University How to Apply - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Programme Structure and Fees Doctoral students in the joint programme are registered with both XJTLU and the UoL. Upon successful completion of the programme, the students will be awarded a PhD degree from University of Liverpool. During their doctoral studies at XJTLU, students are expected to conduct research at XJTU as visiting students. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for a short-term research visit to the UoL if the project requires it. The joint doctoral programme is offered on a full-time basis, with a typical duration of three to four years. The tuition fee is RMB 99,000 per year. How to Apply Interested applicants are advised to email graham.dawson@xjtlu.edu.cn the following documents for initial review and assessment (Please include the project title in the subject line): CV Two formal reference letters Personal statement outlining your interest in the position Certificates of English language qualifications (IELTS or equivalent) Full academic transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required) Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required) PDF copy of Master Degree dissertation (or an equivalent writing sample) and examiners reports available Where will I study? Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international joint-venture university founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the UK, which captures the essence of both parent universities, offering students the opportunity to obtain globally recognised UK degree and a unique life experience within China.
