PhD position: Development of photocatalytic and reusable porous materials for water purification at the University of Franche-Comté

1/ Intitulé du poste
PhD position in Chemistry

2/ Résumé du poste
As part of a ministerial thesis grant (which will only be awarded if the candidate has sufficiently good grades for the Doctoral School criteria), the doctoral student will articulate experimental scientific work. The research work will be based on an analysis of the literature, regular written reports and presentations to the team. Based on his/her knowledge and the review of the scientific literature, the doctoral student will have for mission of:

• synthesize new hybrid hydrogels containing metal oxide particles, these hydrogels must have porosity
• characterize the hydrogels to know the porosity, the accessibility of the oxide particles, etc.
• test these functionalized hydrogels in the capture of dyes and micropollutants
• test these functionalized hydrogels for the oxidation of micropollutants
• make structure/reactivity links

3/ Description du poste
Water quality is a crucial issue, particularly with the emergence of organic micropollutants of industrial, agricultural or urban origin. Different water purification technologies such as membrane filtration, coagulation, precipitation, reverse osmosis and ion exchange are already used today to purify water. However, micropollutants (contaminants with significant toxic effects whose concentration is in the nanogram or microgram per liter range) may still be present after remediation with these conventional methods. This problem leads to for a need of new water purification technologies that are effective with respect to these micropollutants and with the least possible impact on the environment. Concerning organic micropollutants, a research avenue in development is the use of photocatalytic agents such as gold or titanium dioxide nanoparticles to degrade them. Certain polymers also have photocatalytic properties, and their use as a degrading agent for micropollutants appears to be an emerging strategy. Drawing on its experience with polymers, assemblies and depositions, the MSF team is proposing a thesis subject on the study of the photocatalytic properties of polymers for the degradation of organic micropollutants. These polymers can be associated with particles (metallic and/or oxides) in order to study the synergistic effect of the polymer/particle assembly on the targeted properties. These assemblies will be produced in the form of thin films on a model plane support using suitable deposition techniques (electrophoresis, spin-coating, dip-coating). The different stages of the depollution process will be studied on different typical micropollutants (drugs, PAHs, alkyphenols). These steps are (i) the sequestration of micropollutants by active thin films (affinity, saturation); (ii) degradation (kinetics and mechanism) and (iii) regeneration of the material for a new use. The nature of polymers and nanoparticles as well as the microstructure of the films will be among the main parameters to be studied. Ultimately, the objective of the thesis is to advance the understanding of the photocatalytic properties of polymers, the synergistic effect of polymers/nanoparticles and the mechanisms of sequestration/degradation of micropollutants.

4/ Profil du candidat : << first stage researcher » “recognize researcher” / “established researcher”/ “leading researcher” (plusieurs choix possibles)

TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

• Master 2 research in Chemistry or Chemistry-Physics with marks higher than 16/20 or equivalent
• Experience desired in functionalized materials with polymers polymer functionalization and materials characterization techniques
• knowledge of photocatalysis would be a plus

QUALITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• general appeal for research and innovation
• ability to implement a research methodology
• curious
• autonomous
• sense of initiative
• rigor
• good analytical skills
• good writing skills
• fluent English desired

5/ Champs de recherche principal /principaux (cf doc «< thématiques >>)
Physical chemistry of interfaces and dispersed media / Assemblies of polymers and particles/ Deposition of thin films by electrophoresis and sol/gel methods / Physico-chemical characterizations of thin films/(photo)catalysis / Applications: depollution, environment

6/ Champs de recherche secondaire(s) = détail sur le champ principal si besoin

7/Type de contrat :
Fixed-term contract – Full time

8/Nombre d’heures par semaine
35h, in accordance to french law

9/ Date de clôture de l’offre
03/24/2024

10/ Date de début du contrat

Please, contact Isabelle Pochard (isabelle.pochard@utinam.cnrs.fr) and Anne-Félicie Lamic-Humblot (anne-felicie.lamic-humblot@univ-fcomte.fr) with curriculum vitae and a resume.

Website: https://www.utinam.cnrs.fr/#

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