Conjugated polymers have emerged as a new exciting photocatalyst class for water splitting as their properties can be fine-tuned through synthetic approaches using a wide range of building blocks compared to inorganic photocatalysts. This project will be focused on the development of new materials through new synthetic strategies and post-synthetic modification based on recently reported solution-processible polymer photocatalysts.

A particular focus will be on using wastewater streams rather than pure water using photocatalytically active polymer films. This will increase the yield of hydrogen production through the coupling of hydrogen production to the oxidation of organic pollutants. And it will also enable the removal of persistent micropollutants which typically cannot be removed in sewage treatment plants, thus escaping intact into surface and groundwater bodies.

A key component of the project will be the analysis of the fate of organic pollutants and micropollutants during hydrogen production and their oxidation by-products. This will be studied with Dr Efthalia Chatzisymeon at the University of Edinburgh who will also co-supervise the project. She is the director of a well-equipped lab in the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment (IIE) at the University of Edinburgh for monitoring wastewater and water quality.

Dr Christine Davidson (Pure & Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde) will also co-supervise the project. She has over 30 years of experience carrying out research at the interface between analytical and environmental science. Her particular interests are in the development and application of methods for the study of soil, water, and airborne particulate matter providing access to instrumentation, complementary to that of Dr Chatzisymeon.

The student will gain experience in modern synthetic methods, characterisation techniques, as well as in photochemical measurements and determining water characteristics. This will include quantification of micropollutants which can be measured by means of analytical instruments such as GC-MS, HPLC, and TOC analysers, UV-vis spectrophotometry, BOD, COD, pH, conductivity, and turbidity measurements.

Additional opportunities are available through the University’s PG Researcher Professional Development Programme to develop transferable skills. Research findings will be published in high-impact journals with the opportunity to present at an international conference.

Applicants are strongly advised to make an informal enquiry about the PhD to the primary supervisor well before the final submission deadline. 

Further information

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 26 or 27 January 2023.

The Sprick Group:

• https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/seb-sprick,
• Twitter: @SebSprick