Solar-driven selective oxidation of methane to liquid fuels and chemical feedstocks (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) represents a groundbreaking route for methane valorisation and greenhouse-gas mitigation. Progress in this field is hampered by the slow pace of catalyst discovery, the complexity of methane activation, the lack of rapid, reliable tools to evaluate photocatalyst performance under realistic conditions.

This PhD project will develop and integrate high-throughput photoelectrochemical (PEC) screening and photocatalytic system to evaluate photocatalyst properties and efficiency for methane oxidation. By combining rapid PEC fingerprinting, high-throughput photoreactor testing, and data driven catalyst ranking, the project aims to establish a robust methodology for discovering and understanding methane oxidation photocatalysts.

The key objectives include:

• Develop a high-throughput PEC platform for methane oxidation screening
• Evaluate the photocatalysts performance in multi-channel photocatalytic reactors.
• Establish the structure-activity relationships across the synthesised catalysts.

Expected Outcome:

The expected outcomes of this PhD project include both scientific knowledge advancement:

• A validated high-throughput PEC photocatalysis evaluation platform
• Discovery of promising photocatalysts for methane partial oxidation
• Mechanistic insight into reaction pathways for selective methane activation
• A screening methodology for broader solar-driven liquid fuel applications.

Research Environment:

The student will be based in Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), University of Newcastle and will have the opportunity to work and access to facilities in the  Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories. The student will receive interdisciplinary training across photocatalysis, reactor engineering and advanced characterisation techniques, with opportunities for international collaboration and conference participation. 

Supervisors:

Dr Cuiying Toe (Univ of Newcastle) and Dr Denny Gunawan (School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW Sydney). Further information regarding the project and application process can be obtained by contacting mandalena@unsw.edu.au

Scholarship and Application:

Full scholarship covering tuition fee and $38,938 per annum stipend for 3.5 years. If you are interested to apply for PhD admission and scholarship at University of Newcastle, please check for eligibility, requirements and application deadlines on Univ of Newcastle website