Tandem Catalysts for Selective Acidic CO₂ Electrolysis - PhD (Faculty Funded) Ref: 6024

Supervisors

Dr Mengnan Wang, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

Professor Xiaohong Li, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

The University of Exeter Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in acidic CO₂ electrolysis to commence in commence in April 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The studentship is available to both UK and international applicants and will cover tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 per year for 3 years full-time. The student will be based in the Department of Engineering at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Electrochemical CO₂ conversion offers a promising route to produce fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity. Acidic CO₂ electrolysis could improve carbon utilisation compared with conventional alkaline systems, but achieving high selectivity and stability remains challenging. This PhD will develop advanced Cu-based and tandem catalysts for selective acidic CO₂ electrolysis, with a particular focus on multicarbon products such as ethylene. The project will explore how catalyst composition, structure and design can be tuned to improve electrolysis performance under practically relevant conditions.

The student will undertake catalyst synthesis, materials characterisation and electrochemical testing using gas-diffusion electrode and flow-cell systems. The work will combine materials development with performance evaluation to identify promising catalyst designs for efficient and durable CO₂ conversion.

The project is closely aligned with the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship led by Dr Mengnan Wang, which is developing scalable acidic CO₂ electrolysers for sustainable chemical manufacturing. The wider programme combines tandem catalyst design, electrode engineering, advanced characterisation and device-scale validation. Within this broader programme, this PhD will focus specifically on catalyst development and electrochemical performance, providing a clear route from materials design to practical CO₂ electrolysis.    

The project would particularly suit applicants with a background in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrochemistry or a related discipline who are interested in experimental catalysis and electrochemical energy conversion. Previous experience in electrochemistry, catalyst synthesis or materials characterisation would be advantageous but is not essential.

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship. Both UK and international applicants are eligible. The award will cover tuition fees and provide an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 per year.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrochemistry or a related discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Research proposal
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 20th December 2026.  Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 4th January 2027.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 6024 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary