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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. Chemistry
  3. PhD/Research
  4. PhD Projects
  5. Low carbon emissions (net zero) upcycling of 3D printing plastic waste

Low carbon emissions (net zero) upcycling of 3D printing plastic waste

Research Group: Chemistry
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 3 Years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

  • Available to Home and overseas applicants.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2024.
  • Self-funded
  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).

Project Description

The 3D printing industry has grown rapidly in recent years and brought a lot of innovation to the manufacturing industry. However, it has also brought about new challenges related to plastic waste. The 3D printing process often involves the use of thermosetting plastics, which are known to be difficult to recycle. These plastics can be melted down and reformed, but the quality of the resulting material is often not as good as the original, and the process is energy-intensive. Hence, plastic filaments used in 3D printing are often made of different materials, which also makes recycling them a challenge because recycling facilities may not have the technology to sort and recycle these materials properly, leading to them being discarded as waste. In terms of end-of-life disposal, 3D printed objects are often single-use, which means they are discarded after use. They contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative science, processes, and technologies to reduce their impact on the environment.

This PhD project, in collaboration with and supported by Photocentric Ltd., a leading UK 3D printing company, aims to develop a one-step process for upcycling 3D printing plastic waste with extra-low carbon emissions. The project will explore a novel methodology using microwave catalysis for the dehydrogenation and depolymerisation of thermosetting plastics. The successful PhD candidate will focus on (i) designing flexible catalysts capable of deconstructing 3D printed waste polymers under microwave radiation while maintaining extra-low carbon emissions; (ii) testing thermosetting plastic waste from Photocentric Ltd. for the production of hydrogen-rich gases and carbon nanomaterials; (iii) developing a net-zero upcycling process for recovering monomers and value-added chemicals from wasted thermosetting plastics.

From a training perspective, the PhD student will have the opportunity to acquire expertise in catalysis, inorganic chemistry and materials, microwave sciences and engineering, and industry collaboration, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding of the processes and their industrial applicability.

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Chemistry programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply

Deadline for application - 30th April 2024

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Michael Jie

E-mail: x.jie@qmul.ac.uk

Requirements

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) and MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent).
  • You will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking) at the time of application to the CSC.

SPCS Academics: Dr Michael Jie

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