Development of Biomass-Derived Nanocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

You will aim to develop new highly active and stable non-precious metal nanocatalysts from agricultural waste for enhancing the hydrogen production in electrochemical water splitting or water electrolysis. The project will involve extraction and purification of phytochemicals from agricultural waste, compositional analysis of phytochemicals, and fabrication of transition metal-based nanocatalysts using phytochemicals. The composition and morphology of the developed non-precious metal nanocatalysts will be characterised using various advanced characterisation techniques. Additionally, the electrocatalytic performance and stability of these nanocatalysts for water splitting reactions (oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions) will be evaluated and the electrocatalytic mechanisms will be investigated using both experimental and theoretical techniques.

Ideally, you will have previous experience in the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials and electrochemical measurements. You also have a good knowledge in inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, chromatography and/or mass spectrometry. Outside experimental skills, you should possess good analytical skills, data management and presentation skills as well as good work ethics.

The project will make use of the characterisation facilities available at the Centre for Microscopy and Micoranalysis (CMM), including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The project will also use the microfabrication facilities available at the Australian National Fabrication Facility at The University of Queensland.

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

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

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 inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, materials engineering, chromatography and/or mass spectrometry would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of Chemistry, Materials Science/Engineering or Nanotechnology and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, electrochemistry, chromatography and/or mass spectrometry is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 31 March, 2025 31 December, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Yusuf Kaneti (v.kaneti@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now