ESRF - PhD student at ILL: The microscopic mechanism behind boil-off H₂ reduction with activated carbon

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL: The microscopic mechanism behind boil-off H₂ reduction with activated carbon
Ref.: NS25-ILL28
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 32.7K€
Deadline for applications: 03/05/2025
Expected deadline of applications: 03/05/2025
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 04/03/2025
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

Thesis subject: Understanding The microscopic mechanism allowing boil-off H2 mitigation when using Activated Carbons (STRAIGH2T-AC)

The STRAIGH2T-AC project aims to explore the mechanisms of hydrogen (H₂) adsorption on activated carbon (AC) surfaces at cryogenic temperatures near the H₂ boiling point (around 20 K). This project has significant industrial and academic implications, focusing on enhancing hydrogen storage efficiency. The study seeks to clarify how key properties of ACs, such as surface area, pore size distribution, and N content, affect the density, arrangement, and stability of cryo-adsorbed H₂ molecules. This investigation will determine if high surface area is essential for extending liquid H₂ (LH₂) dormancy or if materials with specific porosity or N- functionalities can achieve similar or improved storage outcomes.

A key component of this research involves synthesizing ACs with diverse characteristics and performing a range of analyses, including gas adsorption and neutron scattering, to assess H₂ interactions and AC structure. Experimental results will be supported by computational models to help interpret the adsorption mechanisms at the atomic level. Findings are expected to guide the development of advanced AC materials tailored for H₂ storage, potentially leading to reduced boil-off hydrogen (BOH) loss and increased LH₂ storage time. Insights gained from this project will contribute to optimizing ACs for efficient and sustainable H₂ storage and transport solutions. You will join the Spectroscopy group at the ILL and the INS experiments will be mainly performed on the Neutron Vibrational Spectrometer Lagrange.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Mónica Jiménez-Ruiz (tel.: +33 (0)4 76 20 71 44, email: jimenez@ill.fr) and from Dr. Vanessa Fierro (tel.: +33 (0)372749677, email: vanessa.fierro@univ-lorraine.fr)

Expected profile

- Degree allowing enrollment for a PhD (such as MSc, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent) in physics, materials science, chemistry or closely related science

- A background in chemistry of carbon materials, in experimental techniques as gas adsorption or/and Raman/IR spectroscopy and ab-initio computational methods will be an advantage

- Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate level must be included in the application. Applicants originating from native-English-speaking countries can apply without the need for proof of level. An official degree conducted in English will be also accepted as a proof). If the applicant is unable to provide proof, an English test (free of charge) will be requested.

- Compliance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule: candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host institute’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the application deadline.

- All researchers recruited must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

- Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at University of Lorraine (UL, France) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than at least two months of secondment to our industrial partners may be possible. Additional visits andsecondments may be made to the biosourced materials team laboratories at Institut Jean Lamour (IJL, UMR 7198 UL-CNRS) when needed. Furthermore, a varied pedagogical training programme will be offered to the successful candidate throughout the 3-year PhD project.

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Company description

NEXTSTEP will train 36 young and enthusiastic researchers to exploit the unique and transversal capabilities of analytical research infrastructures in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe. Host laboratories: ESRF and ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), AREA (Italy), NTNU (Norway).

More details about the Nextstep Doctoral Programme on www.nextstep-programme.eu