Manufacture of sustainable electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion by dealloying
Explore atomic-scale processes in brass dealloying to produce nanoporous copper for CO2 electrocatalysis. Use advanced microscopy to understand how alloy composition affects catalytic activity and contribute to sustainable material innovation with environmental impacts.
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Project Description
Project Overview
The COBRA project explores the fundamental mechanisms of dealloying in commercial brass alloys, focusing on selective dissolution of zinc to form nanoporous copper with high catalytic potential for CO2 reduction. This interdisciplinary project involves collaboration between GPM-CNRS and Imperial College London.
What You Will Do
The student will employ state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy and tomographic atomic probe techniques to analyze microstructural and atomic-scale changes during disalloying. The goal is to identify structural properties that influence catalytic activity and to understand how surface composition controls electrocatalytic performance.
Expected Outcomes
Outcomes include detailed mechanistic insight into brass dealloying, development of novel nanoporous copper materials, and evaluation of their catalytic efficacy for converting CO2 into valuable chemical products. The findings may also inform upcycling processes for end-of-life brass containing impurities.
Why This Matters
Understanding and optimizing materials for CO2 electrocatalysis addresses urgent environmental challenges by enabling sustainable chemical production and recycling strategies. This research advances knowledge in materials physics and catalysis with potential societal benefits in energy and waste management.