PhD Scholarship in Solar Fuels and Photovoltaic-Electrocatalytic Devices

This PhD project at Imperial College London focuses on creating innovative photovoltaic-electrocatalytic devices that combine light absorbers with electrocatalysts to generate solar fuels and chemicals without external electricity. Working within the Department of Chemical Engineering, the successful candidate will tackle challenges in semiconductor integration, interface engineering, and long-term device stability under simulated sunlight. The student will gain hands-on experience across materials synthesis, device fabrication, electrochemistry, and advanced characterization techniques. The position is fully funded for 42 months, covering both tuition fees and an annual tax-free maintenance stipend.

• Fabricate and optimize integrated photovoltaic-electrocatalytic devices using emerging semiconductors and electrocatalysts.
• Synthesize and characterize novel conductive and chemically robust interfaces and catalytic layers.
• Evaluate device performance under simulated sunlight for target reactions such as solar hydrogen production.
• Analyze electrical and optical losses to improve product selectivity and long-term device stability.
• Utilize spectroscopy, microscopy, and electrochemical techniques to investigate reaction mechanisms.
• Collaborate within research facilities and publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.