PhD Research Studentships

Mechanochemical synthesis of conducting polymers

Supervisor: Oliver FENWICK
Apply by:31 January 2023

Description

Synthesis of functional polymers such as conjugated polymers produces a lot of waste in the form of solvent. In fact, the mass of solvent is far greater than the mass of polymer synthesised. In energy harvesting devices, this is important, since it increases the energy pay-back time of the devices and their CO2 footprint. For thin film applications such as OLEDs and polymer solar cells, the polymer mass is small compared to other components such as substrates and encapsulation materials, so the effect is not too great. However, there are emerging bulk electronic device applications where the mass of polymer is the majority of the mass of the device. In these cases, the sustainability of the polymer synthesis is the main contributor to the embodied energy and CO2 footprint of the device or system.

Thermoelectric polymers are a case in point. The main thermoelectric polymer, PEDOT:PSS, is synthesised at ~1.5wt% in solution. The waste solvent could be eliminated by using mechanochemical synthesis. Mechanochemical synthesis has been explored for a small number of polymers, but very few conjugated polymers. 

This project will explore mechanochemical synthesis of conducting polymers such as PEDOT:tosylate, BBL and PQT12. Control of the synthetic products will be explored, and the electronic and thermoelectric properties optimised. The aim will be to reduce the cost, energy pay-back time and CO2 footprint of conducting polymers, and will develop know-how that could be applied across a wide range of polymer systems.

See our research webpage for further details: 

https://organicthermoelectric.com/  

About the award

  • Level: PhD
  • Course: All PhDs in the Faculties of Science and Engineering
  • Country: China
  • Value: Full tuition fee waiver and living stipend (£1350/month) for 4 years

More information

Funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC)

Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants. This scholarship is available to both new and continuing (current 1st year) students. Associate students who want to come to Queen Mary for 3-24 months are also able to apply.

 

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start from September 2023

Funding

Funded by: China Scholarship Council
Candidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in (Semester ).
  • SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
  • Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
  • Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Oliver FENWICK.

SEMS Research Centre: