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Advanced electrocatalyst and membrane design for efficient CO₂ electrolysis

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Chemical sciences, Engineering, Physical sciences

Project description

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) offers a promising route to decarbonise Australian industry by converting renewable electricity into value-added chemicals and fuels.

Among CO₂R technologies, zero-gap membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolysers show strong potential for industrial application due to their low internal resistance, compact architecture, and scalability.

The performance of MEA electrolysers for CO₂ electrolysis is governed by the electrocatalyst, membrane, and electrode–membrane junction, which are in direct contact and jointly determine reaction selectivity, ion transport, water management, and operational stability. However, current MEA systems still suffer from limited durability, particularly for C₂+ product formation.

This project aims to develop advanced electrocatalysts, membranes, and electrode–membrane junctions guided by multiscale computational modelling, with the goal of improving the efficiency, selectivity, and stability of CO₂R MEA electrolysers.

Research environment

The School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland (UQ) is a leading centre for education and research in chemical and process engineering, focused on delivering innovative solutions to global challenges in energy, sustainability, materials and environmental technologies. Housed in the state-of-the-art Andrew N. Liveris Building, the School integrates strong theoretical foundations with cutting-edge practical capabilities across research and teaching and collaborates closely with industry and international partners.

Researchers and students in the School have access to advanced fabrication and characterisation infrastructure essential for modern materials and process science. This includes access to the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM) — a major interdisciplinary facility supporting high-resolution electron microscopy such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as X-ray and surface analysis techniques — enabling detailed imaging and chemical analysis down to the nanoscale.

Scholarship

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
  • your tuition fees covered.

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Supervisor

Preferred educational background

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

  • previous academic record
  • publication record
  • honours and awards
  • employment history.

A working knowledge of electrochemical CO₂ reduction, electrocatalysis, ion-exchange membranes, or computational modelling would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or a closely related discipline and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of MD, microkinetic modeling, and/or deep learning/MLP generative AI is highly desirable.

How to apply

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2027. You can start in an earlier research quarter.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:

  • RQ 1 (January): 30 September
  • RQ 2 (April): 31 December
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 March
  • RQ 4 (October): 30 June.
  • RQ 1 (January): 30 June
  • RQ 2 (April): 30 September
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 December
  • RQ 4 (October): 31 March.

Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  2. Prepare your documentation.
  3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Feng Li (feng.li1@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:

  1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
  2. Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
  3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: ELECTROCATALYST-LI
  4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/advanced-electrocatalyst-and-membrane-design-efficient-co2-electrolysis

Submit an EOI

This project is not available to international students

Do you have questions?

The Graduate Research School is here to help.

Contact us