PhD-position in electrode/catalyst development for PFAS-free fuel cells (m/f/d)

PhD-position in electrode/catalyst development for PFAS-free fuel cells (m/f/d)

NEU

Teilzeit

Forschung und Lehre

Our group Electrochemical Energy Systems at the University of Freiburg offers a PhD-position in electrode/catalyst development for PFAS-free fuel cells (m/f/d)

Bewerbungsfrist: 31. August 2026

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 28. Juli 2026

Eintrittstermin: Zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt.

Arbeitsumfang: Part-time position (80 %)

Kennziffer: 00005123

Beschreibung

PFAS ('forever chemicals') are valued across countless industries for their heat resistance and remarkable stability. They are also state-of-the-art in proton-conducting membranes and electrodes for fuel cells, a technology currently gaining serious traction in heavy-duty trucking. But that same stability that makes PFAS attractive for different applications makes them persistent in the environment: theyve been detected in soil, water, air, and even human and animal tissue, and have been linked to health concerns. Thus, the fuel cell industry increasingly needs viable, PFAS-free alternatives.

This is precisely the challenge we are tackling in the CORAL-HC project. Promising hydrocarbon-based ionomers have recently emerged as candidates that can match PFAS performance. However, the catalysts and electrode architectures that work so well with PFAS materials dont simply transfer to this new material class. Fundamental questions about how catalyst, carbon support, and hydrocarbon ionomer interact still need to be answered from scratch.

To address this, we will use atomic layer deposition (ALD) to design and fine-tune catalysts specifically for hydrocarbon ionomers. ALDs ability to deposit ultrathin, highly controlled layers of platinum atom by atom offers a unique lever for precisely tailoring the size, distribution, and local environment of platinum nanoparticles on the carbon support. This precision will allow us to systematically probe how catalyst structure influences performance in combination with hydrocarbon ionomers, and to engineer catalysts that are optimized for this new material class rather than simply adapted from PFAS-based systems.

Your task:

Adapt and optimize atomic layer deposition (ALD) protocols to deposit platinum nanoparticles with controlled size, distribution, and local environment on porous carbon supports tailored to the specific requirements of hydrocarbon (HC) ionomers

Develop over- and under-coatings to improve stability and activity of the catalysts

Characterize catalyst structure and morphology using techniques such as electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), X-ray diffraction, and surface area/porosity analysis (e.g., BET)

Fabricate and evaluate catalyst-ionomer composite electrodes, systematically varying ionomer-to-carbon ratios and catalyst architectures

Integrate the developed electrodes into fuel cell devices

Conduct electrochemical characterization (e.g., fuel cell measurements, cyclic voltammetry, ECSA measurements) to assess catalyst and electrode performance in combination with HC ionomers

Investigate the interplay between catalyst structure, Pt distribution, and HC ionomer properties (e.g., gas diffusion, water uptake) to identify performance-limiting mechanisms

Collaborate closely with project partners, developing new carbon supports and HC ionomer materials to co-optimize catalyst and ionomer design

Contribute to the development of improved electrode recipes and fabrication processes based on experimental findings

Analyze and interpret experimental