2024 RTP round - Metal-semiconductor hybrid nanostructure-based catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction towards value added fuels

Description/Applicant information Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels and value-added products is one of the most promising strategies to address the global warming and energy issues. The use of highly efficient metal-semiconductor hybrid nanostructures as the catalysts to catalytically reduce CO2 into formate, formaldehyde, formic acid, methane and ethanol is an important approach to address the aforementioned issues. This project will develop a family of metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles with controlled size, shape and composition, reveal the mechanisms of the catalytic CO2 reduction based on such nanoparticles and build a solid foundation for efficient value-added fuels production from CO2 using metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles.

The aim of this project is to develop the synthetic methods for preparing metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles with controlled size, shape and composition, elucidate the mechanisms of CO2 reduction, open up a new avenue towards value-added fuels production, and foster early-career researchers in the fields of materials chemistry and new energy technologies.

(1) To develop simple, robust and scalable strategies for fabricating metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles with desirable structural features including tunable shape, size, composition and spatial location. (2) To increase the selectivity and reactivity of the catalytic reduction of CO2 through the structural, electronic, compositional and kinetic considerations of metal-semiconductor hybrid nanostructures. (3) To produce value-added fuels from catalytic hydrogen CO2 using metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles as the catalysts.

This project will generate new knowledge in catalysis and materials chemistry, provide a solution to tackle the current energy issue that modern society relies too much on the fossil resources and develop new technologies for energy industries.

Student type

Future Students

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships at the 2023 RTP rate valued at $32,250 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3 years, with a possible 6-month completion scholarship. Applicants are determined via a competitive selection process and will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2023.

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Maximum number awarded 1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent organisation, problem-solving and project management skills. Candidates with scientific publications and research experiences in chemistry, materials science, electronic devices or related fields are preferred.