Post doctorate: Catalytic synthesis and characterization of graphene composites from biomass and biowaste using pyrolysis

RAPSODEE, Research Centre in Albi on Particulate SOliDs, the Energy and Environment, is a joint research centre - UMR 5302
- of the French National Research Centre (CNRS) since 2001. Its
activities are organized in two research teams, carrying out their
research in the field of energy, environment and particle engineering.

As regards areas of Energy and Environment, research is focused on:

• Energy carriers production and materials with engineered
  properties, by developing environmental and energy efficiency processes,
  from biomass dedicated crops or waste biomass more or less contaminated
  with heavy metal and/or organic pollutants.
• Processes implementing renewable energies (Solar, Biomass)

Energy and Environmental industries are among the application fields.

As regards the area of particle engineering, research is focused on:

• Design and development of new sustainable processes (more
  intense, more cost-effective, more environmentally-friendly, safer)
  using particulate solids and developing characterization, generation,
  transport, formulation, mixture and shaping particles methods.

Pharmaceuticals and food industries are among the application fields.

RAPSODEE Research Centre is also involved in the Laboratory of Excellence "LabEX SOLSTICE" and with the Excellence Equipment "EquipEx GENEPI".
These labels are granted by the French Government to a very limited
number of laboratories with outstanding track records in the dedicated
fields.

Tasks

Graphene is a two-dimensional material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms. This lightweight and flexible material possesses good mechanical and thermal properties, as well as high conductivity. As such, it has applications in an broad range of areas including batteries, energy storage, pollutant sensors, electronics, and biology. In the past it has been necessary to use precursor materials from petroleum-based industries to achieve high quality graphene, leading to a negative environmental impact.

This research project aims to synthesize and characterize highly graphenic composites from biomass and biowaste for application in the energy arena, where the use of bioresources significantly lowers the environmental impact of this class of material. To this end, pyrolysis of various biomass and biowaste feedstocks will be considered. The link between the graphitic nanostructure, the feedstock composition and the process conditions will be investigated.

The scientific challenges of the project are:

• To understand the mechanism of graphene formation using the selected operating conditions and feedstocks
• To understand and identify the main parameters that control the graphitization process
• To highlight the relationship between the physico-chemical, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of the graphenic layers and the production process
• To accurately model the molecular growth process of the graphenic phase

The project requires applicants to have a strong background in synthesis/or engineering of carbon and inorganic materials, and materials characterization. Experience working with high temperature would be ideal. Additionally, experience with the following characterization techniques is beneficial: XRD, TGA, FTIR, N2 sorption, TPD, mass spectrometry, SEM-EDS, HR-TEM, XPS, and total scattering.

The position is heavily weighted toward experiments but can include components on atomistic modeling if the successful individual has prior expertise. Day-to-day responsibilities include planning and performing experiments, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript and report preparation and graduate student mentoring.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of
  experience in pyrolysis and gasification

• Knowledge of
  lignocellulosic resource characterization techniques
• English fluently
  spoken (written and oral)