We reopen two Doctoral positions to join the D-CARBONIZE network. The application for DC7 position will be available from June 21 to July 12 and for DC5 from June 21 to July 19. Don’t miss the opportunity and join us! Find below the most relevant information of these positions:
DC7 Position: Six-membered CO2-based lactones/lactams towards polyesters and polyamides
Host Institutions:
- Main Host Institution – CNRS – France (21 months)
- Secondary Host Institution – ULIEGE – Belgium (15 months)
Project Description: The main objective of this project is to prepare novel lactones or lactams by chemical transformations of CO2 with appropriate bio-based compounds. These CO2-based cyclic compounds will then be exploited to develop unique CO2-based polyols of the polyester or polyamide-type by ideally utilising sustainable pathways. In addition, at ULIEGE the work will focus on the design of novel CO2-sourced poly(ester-co-carbonate)s and poly(amide-cocarbonate)s by co-polymerization of the polyols from the CNRS with the new CO2-sourced cyclic carbonates from ULIEGE.
Secondment: the project involves a three-months research stay at TOTAL Energies facilities (Belgium) under the supervision of Dr. Martine Slawinski (designing polyester formulations based on the polymerized CO2-based monomers with a focus on packaging applications)
Application deadline: June 21 to July 12, 2023
DC5 Position: Heterogeneous catalysis for cyclic carbonate synthesis via tandem epoxidation/ carbonation
Host Institutions:
- Main Host Institution – University of Groningen (RUG) – The Netherlands (21 months)
- Secondary Host Institution – ICIQ – Spain (15 months)
Project Description: The project will involve the design and development of heterogeneous catalysts that are able to promote the two steps of a tandem reaction affording functional cyclic carbonates directly from alkene precursors. Gallium oxides and titanosilicates will be used to promote the epoxidation step, whereas different designs of heterogeneous catalysts will be investigated for the conversion of the formed epoxides into cyclic carbonates in the presence of CO2. The possibility of tuning the chemo-selectivity by changing the ratio and type of Lewis acid and (halide) additive of this second step to favour polycarbonates will also be investigated. Particular attention will be devoted to the compatibility of the oxidant used in the epoxidation step with the catalysts used in the formation of the carbonate product. The stability of the catalysts against impurities present in CO2 from industrial sources will be investigated and optimised. At ICIQ the tandem reaction will be attempted using homogeneous catalysts based on Al/Fe complexes combined with halide additives such as TBAB.
Secondment: the project involves a three-months research stay at CELABOR facilities (Belgium) under the supervision of Dr. Jean-Michel Thomassin (to study potential applications of the generated polycarbonates)
Application deadline: June 21 to July 19, 2023