This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition, for entry in September 2026.
Overview of the Research:
We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join a collaborative project at the interface of catalysis, nanomaterials, and sustainable chemical technologies. Chemical separations account for significant energy and capital costs in manufacturing, and overcoming this challenge requires new material platforms capable of combining reaction and purification in a single step. We aim to develop a new class of heterogeneous catalysts by immobilising catalytic sites within the highly aligned and tuneable 1D nanochannels of anodised aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes. This PhD will develop reactive membranes that integrate and combine catalytic transformations and controlled molecular diffusion.
By tailoring pore size of the membranes (5–100 nm) and tuning catalytic functionality (metal nanoparticles size, shape, composition), the student will design membranes that simultaneously separate and upgrade waste biomass-derived molecules and enable controlled depolymerisation pathways for chemical plastic recycling. This approach offers a route to intensified, low-energy, and highly selective chemical processes supporting a more sustainable circular chemicals economy.
The successful candidate will gain broad interdisciplinary training, including nanoparticle synthesis, membrane anodisation, catalytic kinetics, and mechanistic analysis using NMR and GC-MS. They will also develop expertise in advanced surface and structural characterisation techniques and in modelling reactant diffusion within confined environments. This skill set will prepare the student for careers in catalysis, sustainable chemistry, materials engineering, or advanced chemical manufacturing.
The project will be jointly supervised by Dr Simon Freakley (Department of Chemistry) and Dr Hannah Leese (Department of Chemical Engineering). This collaboration will provide training in heterogeneous catalysis, nanoparticle synthesis, membrane-based separations, AAO membrane synthesis, and diffusion modelling.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or high Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Simon Freakley.
Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemistry prior to the closing date of this advert.
Application closing date: 8 February 2026
For more information and to apply visit https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/designing-reactive-membranes-for-sustainable-one-dimensional-catalysis/?p193377
