The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Chemical Technologies: A Systems Approach (CSCT) at the University of Bath is offering a fully-funded, 4-year studentship to start in September 2025. Subject to contract, this project will be in collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The CSCT equips scientists and engineers to deliver innovative chemical solutions. As part of a cohort of researchers passionate about sustainable science and engineering, you’ll undertake a 4-year Integrated PhD programme including an MRes that blends taught modules with two research projects involving an industrial, each in a different discipline.
This project will develop novel porous materials for hydrogen isotope separation technologies, namely separating protium (1H; H) from deuterium (2H; D), and tritium (3H; T).
Fusion technology shows significant promise as a future sustainable energy source. However, it is heavily reliant on tritium, a rare and extremely expensive material, currently valued at $30,000 per gram. The huge cost of this material makes effective tritium separation, purification, and recovery methods vital both for economic feasibility and sustainability. Yet, separating hydrogen isotopes is one of the most demanding challenges in the field of separation science.
Currently hydrogen isotopes are separated using cryogenic distillation, at temperatures as low as 20 Kelvin, is a highly resource-, cost-, and energy-intensive process. Recent collaborative work between the University of Bath and UKAEA has shown that specific porous materials can achieve the same hydrogen isotope separation effect, but at much higher temperatures. This work will build on these findings by developing new porous materials for high temperature hydrogen isotope separation.
The project will involve synthesising novel microporous materials, and testing them for hydrogen separation, both at the University of Bath, and using the UK’s cutting-edge tritium handling facilities at UKAEA. Once the materials have been created and tested, leading facilities at the Harwell Campus in Didcot, such as the Diamond Light Source, and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source will be used to understand the mode of separation. This will then guide the optimisation of materials towards practical implementation.
For more information and to apply visit https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/synthesis-and-investigation-of-hydrogen-isotope-adsorption-and-interactions-in-novel-materials-for-fusion-fuel-enrichment/?p181511