PhD Research Studentships

Low dimensional energy materials

Supervisor: Oliver FENWICK
Apply by:31 January 2023

Description

Materials confined into low dimensional structures develop new optical and electronic properties that are not observed in the bulk. These occur due to quantum confinement effects and have been exploited in many nanoscale electronic devices. Nonetheless, individual nanostructures are only used in limited applications due to fabrication challenges and the difficulty of integrating them into devices. This project will develop bulk materials with low dimensional character. These are organometal halide materials containing arrays of 2D, 1D or 0D metal halide nanostructures spaced on a regular lattice that is stabilised by organic or inorganic cations.
 
One of the properties modified by quantum confinement is the electronic density of states, which changes from a continuum in the bulk material to discrete levels in low dimensional structures. Discrete levels in the density of states should result in high Seebeck coefficients, a key indicator of a good thermoelectric material. Additionally, nanostructures tend to have low thermal conductivity due to phonon scattering at their boundaries, which is also a key requirement of thermoelectric materials.
 
Low-dimensional crystal structures give huge possibilities in ferroelectric research. Going down in dimensionality can increase the Curie temperature, and notable spontaneous polarizations have been observed, triggered by dynamic ordering of the cations and the tilting motion of heterometallic octahedra. Our new materials aim to boost performance further and we will use high entropy approaches to increase Curie temperature further.
 
The Shockley-Queisser limit in photovoltaics arises because charge carriers excited by photons with energy exceeding the band gap (hot carriers) lose a large portion of their energy through when charges relax thermally before extraction. Thermal relaxation can be slowed by phonon confinement, giving the possibility of hot carrier extraction. Hot carrier dynamics will be investigated in our materials as well as UV absorbing layers for indoor PV.

 

See our research webpage for further details: http://www.organicthermoelectric.com

About the award

  • Level: PhD

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 September 2023

Conacyt-funded students -  candidate to secure the Conacyt scholarship

Application Method:
 
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the PhD Full-time  / Semester 1 (September Start), please select the full-time materials science degree programme at https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/materials.html(Go to Apply online at the bottom of the page)
 

 

Funding

Funded by: Conacyt
Candidate will need to secure Conacyt scholarship.

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: