Universidad Rovira i Virgili
Tarragona, Spain
Description
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are the only technology that at ambient temperature and pressure is capable of removing contaminants that remain stable in the conventional stages of water treatment and, therefore, are called refractory (priority and/or emergent). The main problem of the AOPs lays on its high reactivity and thus low selectivity, hence the need for AOPs that generate a high concentration of hydroxyl radicals, oxidizing agent in these processes. Another important issue is related to reduced reaction times and environmental sustainability. From these reasons comes all the ongoing research to find alternatives to the AOPs currently known. In this project it is desired to study the removal of refractory pollutants, including industrial wastewaters, by applying an AOP that has been recently developed by our research group: the catalytic oxidation with hydrogen peroxide generated in situ. The main objective of this project is to improve the Fenton process with in-situ generation of H2O2 from three perspectives: firstly, improving the process by obtaining multifunctional catalysts more active, efficient and stable in this reaction, that allow both in-situ generation of H2O2 and its activation to decompose it into hydroxyl radicals; on the other hand, to decrease the amount of noble metal and therefore the costs associated with the preparation of the catalyst; and finally, to study the effect of the addition of UV visible radiation to the reaction system. For this, new catalysts based on metal nanoparticles supported on different solids will be prepared. For the characterisation of materials, different techniques will be used: physisorption (BET area and porosity), chemisorption, XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), TPD (insitu temperature-programmed desorption), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), among others. For wastewater characterisation, liquid chromatography will be used, as well as TOC (total organic carbon), COD (chemical oxygen demand), BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), among other techniques. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the group of F.J. Beltran, from Universidad de Extremadura. Duties:
- Preparation and characterization of catalysts
- Application of the developed materials in Fenton photo-Fenton process at laboratory scale
- Catalytically in-situ generation of H2O2
- Apply the best catalysts developed in the treatment of industrial wastewater from different sectors, with the aim of their reuse.
Requirements
Candidates should have a bachelor and/or a master degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry. Good command of English is required. Experience in experimental work will be evaluated positively.
More information and applications
Interested candidates should send CV and academic expedient (subjects, credits and grade) to Dr. Vanessa Torné (vanessa.torne@urv.cat), together with an expression of interest letter. The candidate will be enrolled in the doctorate program of the Chemical Engineering department at the University Rovira I Virgili. PhD will be done in the base of a scholarship for the first two years and labour contract for the remaining period (1 or 2 years). Net salary is ca. 1150-1350 euros/month.
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