PhD Studentship: Catalyst Selection for the CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

[£20,780 annual tax-free stipend for 2025/26 (UKVI rate), tuition fees paid for home students; possible full funding for overseas students upon discussion.] This fully funded 4-year PhD studentship at The University of Manchester focuses on catalyst selection for the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a critical component in advanced technologies such as lithium-ion battery electrodes. The project is in collaboration with Innospec, a global surface science company, and aims to investigate how different catalyst formulations influence CNT growth, structure, and performance. The research will compare various CNT catalysts, evaluating their impact on CNT morphology, chemical composition, and electrochemical performance in Li-ion cells. Key objectives include synthesizing CNTs via CVD under varied conditions, characterizing them using advanced techniques like Raman spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, and elemental analysis, and studying the influence of catalyst impurities on CNT purity and structure. The project also involves evaluating CNTs as conductive additives in battery electrodes and applying AI/machine learning to optimize experimental design and growth parameters. The successful candidate will have access to world-class facilities at the National Graphene Institute and the Henry Royce Institute, including advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and battery testing equipment. Industrial experience will be gained through direct collaboration with Innospec, providing insight into catalyst development and applications. Applicants should have a first-class or upper second-class degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline, with experience in nanomaterials synthesis and characterization desirable. Interest in energy storage technologies and machine learning applications in materials science is preferred. The studentship provides an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26 (UKVI rate), with tuition fees paid for home students and possible full funding for overseas students upon discussion. The application deadline is 27 November 2025. To apply, candidates should contact Dr Bissett and Prof Kinloch with details of their academic background, current level of study, relevant experience, and a motivation paragraph, and submit an application via the university portal.