Engineering nanomembranes for carbon capture

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to drive climate change and intensify the urgency for scalable carbon capture and utilization technologies. Recent advances in nanostructured polymers, porous crystalline materials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and hybrid nanocomposite membranes provide unprecedented opportunities to engineer selective transport pathways at the molecular scale.

By tailoring polymer chemistry, pore architecture, and interfacial interactions, nanomembranes can be designed to enhance CO2 adsorption, accelerate diffusion, and enable direct integration with downstream CO2 electrolysis systems for carbon conversion.

You will develop next-generation nanomembranes that combine high CO2 capture efficiency with electrochemical compatibility, bridging carbon separation and carbon utilisation in a unified platform.

The School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland (UQ) is a leading centre for education and research in chemical and process engineering. It focuses 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.

You will 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.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

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 polymer chemistry, materials science, and membrane transport phenomena would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

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

A background or knowledge of porous materials (e.g., MOFs), nanomaterial synthesis, electrochemical engineering, and materials characterisation techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, BET analysis) is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 8 April, 2026 25 December, 2030.

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 Min Liu (min.liu@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: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: NANOMEMBRANES-LIU
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/engineering-nanomembranes-carbon-capture

Submit an EOI