Job offer published on the CNRS job portal
General information
Reference : UMR6508-SANSOC-003
Workplace : CAEN
Date of publication : Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 6 months
Expected date of employment : 1 September 2021
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : 3700-3950€ gross/month (depending on experience)
Desired level of education : 5-year university degree
Experience required : 5 to 10 years
Missions
The proposal concerns the development of a new process for fast preparation of hybrid polymer/zeolite membranes for natural gas purification. The first step concerned the synthesis of a new type I photoinitiators generation based on bifunctional silane (SPI: silane based photoinitiator). These are used in a second step as coupling agent. They will allow the preparation of hybrid and porous Core-Shell materials of type Zeolite/polymer. The modification of the surface of zeolite nanoparticles by SPI (SPI@Zeolite) will make them photo-active: the irradiation under UV light of a suspension of SPI@Zeolite in the presence of monomers, oligomers and/or functionalized polymers, will allow the generation of radicals on the surface of the zeolite and subsequently the initiation of the radical polymerization. As a result, a Core (microporous zeolite) – Shell (porous polymers) material can be obtained while preserving the accessibility and the porosity of the material, essential properties for the purification.
This 6-month period refers only to the second phase (phase II) of the 3DZeopol project (6/18 months in total) where the first phase concerned the synthesis of SPI is already performed.
Activities
-Petrochemical characterization of the new SPI’s structures
-Grafting and preparation of the new polymer/zeolites hybrid materials/membranes (HM)
-Characterization of the HM using HR-TEM and textural analysis techniques
– Writing papers and reports
Skills
The candidates should have a PhD in organic chemistry, polymers, materials or a related field with an experience between 2 and 7 years. They should have a very good experience in synthesis and a solid knowledge of photo(electro)chemical characterization techniques (cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible, transient absorption, etc.). Written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of French is beneficial. A cover letter describing the candidate’s relevant research experience and motivation to apply for the position, a detailed CV, letter(s) of recommendation(s) and contact information for potential referees should be included with the application.
Work Context
This project will be carried out between the LCS (Catalysis and Spectrochemistry Laboratory) and the CRISMAT
The Catalysis and Spectrochemistry Laboratory prepares, studies and evaluates heterogeneous catalysts in the field of environment and sustainable development.
It has built its reputation by specializing in the description of the catalyst in operation, in particular the operando spectroscopy of the catalyst, i.e. its observation in the reactor during the reaction.
With a very strong pole in infrared spectroscopy, but also in NMR and Raman spectroscopy, the LCS occupies a unique place in the field of automotive pollution control (exhaust catalysts), in energy production (refining, biofuels) and in the field of bio-resources.
It has been strengthened in the field of design, preparation and modification of porous nanomaterials for applications in catalysis or adsorption. Emerging applications (sensors, membranes, oil purification…) have started and are also part of the environmental and sustainable development fields.
The research of the LCS is carried out in collaboration with many laboratories of the French and international university world (Lille, Poitiers, Lyon, Lisbon, Valencia, Zurich, Leuven…), collaborations with large foreign laboratories (PNNL in the US, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy in China…) are being set up.
CRISMAT: is a transdisciplinary laboratory at the interface of Solid State Chemistry, Materials Science and Solid State Physics.
Its vocation is to contribute to technological innovation in the fields of energy and information and communication technologies, by associating very high level fundamental research and application research.
The laboratory is internationally recognized for its ability to discover new oxides with remarkable properties such as superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance and thermoelectricity.
The design of these new materials is based on a multi-scale approach from the atom to the macroscopic, which is made possible by the use of transmission electron microscopy.
CRISMAT is a founding member of the Centre National de Recherche Technologique Matériaux de Normandie (Unité Mixte de Service CNRT CNRS/ENSICAEN/UNICAEN/Université du Havre) to help set up and carry out partnership projects, particularly in the fields of thermoelectric and composite materials.
