Elaboration of carbon dots as efficient electrocatalysts for water decontamination

Le Laboratoire de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI - EA2528) regroupe des enseignants-chercheurs de divers profils : polyméristes, électrochimistes, chimistes inorganiciens, physiciens des surfaces et interfaces.
Nos principaux savoir-faire concernent les réseaux (interpénétrés) de polymères et les (macro)molécules π-conjuguées (ou polymères conducteurs électroniques), avec la spécificité d'aller de la synthèse et la caractérisation physicochimique des matériaux à leur intégration dans des dispositifs, ensuite étudiés.

Ces compétences et notre pluridisciplinarité nous permettent aujourd'hui de proposer des solutions innovantes, voire des ruptures technologiques, sur des problématiques transversales et fédératrices nécessitant des matériaux structurels, fonctionnels ou stimulables. Aujourd'hui cette démarche est principalement appliquée aux problématiques de stockage et conversion de l'énergie, aux matériaux "stimulables" ainsi que, plus récemment, à la préservation et la restauration du patrimoine matériel.

Master 2/Ing3 Internship offer

Elaboration of carbon dots as efficient electrocatalysts for water decontamination

Laboratory of Physicochemistry of Polymers and Interfaces (LPPI-EA2528), CY Cergy Paris Université

5 Mail Gay Lussac, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France

Supervisors: Thuan Pham, Cedric Vancaeyzeele and Pierre-Henri Aubert

Keywords: Carbon dots, microwave synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, electrocatalyst, water decontamination, electrochemical reduction of nitrite.

pHSELECT, funded by ANR, proposes a new concept of selective denitrification using hybrid electrocatalysts based on ionic liquids (ILs) layers deposited on either earth abundant metal‐ or carbon‐based electrodes, which must contribute to provide both decentralized ammonia production and decontaminated water by valorization of N‐based polluted groundwater sources. The main reaction involved in this process will be the selective denitrification (ERN) to generate ammonium, which can be further served as fertilizers in agricultural activities. This reaction is complex involving 6e^-/8H⁺ and is highly competitive to the undesired hydrogen evolution reaction. Up-to-date, the most efficient electrocatalysts for this purpose are metallic copper and stain, in different sizes and shapes. Nevertheless, their activity and selectivity is still poor and these two key parameters yields a dilemma in the performance of the electrocatalysts. Moreover, combined with the risk of releasing metal nanoparticles to the environment, new ultralow-metal contained or metal-free electrocatalysts are highly required as alternative to pure metallic ones.

Methodology. For this purpose, emerging cost‐effective materials, i.e. carbon dots, will be intensively investigated here in the size range of 10 nm and presenting spherical morphology as novel electrocatalyst for ERN. Moreover, we give our best effort in choosing the precursors used for the synthesis of CDs among different bio-sourced and bio‐compatible molecules such as glucose, cellulose, etc. The carbon dots will be synthetized in aqueous conditions under microwave irradiation. The candidate will be in charge of the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the CD’s catalytic activity. The first task focuses on the optimization of the synthesis by changing the precursors, the temperature, the reaction time as well as the storage procedure of CDs based on acquired results within this project. The second task will be on the evaluation of the catalytic performance of the carbon dots in hydrogen evolution reaction and ERN. The third task will be the combination of carbon dots with ionic liquid moieties to attenuate the HER while improving the ERN activity. The candidate will have opportunity to learn about material synthesis, material characterization and electrocatalysis. Frequent exchanges to ITODYS Laboratory at Paris Cité Université are envisaged to complement the studies with local electrochemical tools.      

Desired profile. Solid background in electrochemistry and/or in material science is strongly required. Moreover, the strong writing and communication skills are appreciated. For application, please send an email with your academic transcript (M1), CV and a motivation letter. References are encouraged but not mandatory.

Internship period. Beginning of February to End of July with regulated gratification for M2 Internship.  

Deadline. applications are open until a suitable candidate is selected.

Solid background in materials science and/or in electrochemistry is strongly required. Moreover, the strong writing and communication skills are appreciated. For application, please send an email to thuan-nguyen.pham-truong@cyu.fr with your academic transcript (M1), CV and a motivation letter. References are encouraged but not mandatory.