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Continuous Manufacturing with Carbon Nanoreactor Supported Nanoparticle Catalysts for the Self-Optimisation of Heterogenous Reduction Reactions

PGR-P-637

Key facts

Type of research degree
4 year PhD
Application deadline
Friday 28 February 2020
Project start date
Thursday 1 October 2020
Country eligibility
UK and EU
Funding
Funded
Source of funding
Research council
Supervisors
Dr Thomas Chamberlain
Additional supervisors
Dr Richard Bourne
Schools
School of Chemistry
Research groups/institutes
Process Research and Development
<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Project details: This industrially sponsored project, between Dr Thomas Chamberlain and Dr Richard Bourne (University of Leeds) and Dr Kevin Leslie and Dr Graeme Clemens (Process Chemistry at AstraZeneca), will enable high throughput, flow hydrogenation at scale enabling robust, continuous manufacture. To achieve this the project will fabricate novel carbon based, pelleted catalyst materials, incorporating an ultra-hard core, proving the structural strength and dimensions required to minimize pressure drop across a flow reactor column, with an innovative, nanoreactor based porous outer shell designed to maximize surface area, nanoparticle stabilization and the rate of reactions. These catalysts will be integrated into the self-optimizing, reactor platform, at Leeds, capable of performing heterogeneous hydrogenation in flow, will enable optimisation of heterogeneously catalysed chemical reactions in flow of exemplar active pharmaceutical ingredient targets determined in partnership with AstraZeneca. This will include a placement at AZ Macclesfield, including training on state-of-the-art continuous flow hydrogenation apparatus and engagement with colleagues in process development. The research and training will include: the construction, validation, and testing of automated reactor platforms, organic synthetic chemistry in flow; heterogeneous catalysts preparation, characterisation and utilisation; analysis of reaction outcomes using a range of techniques and exploitation of self-optimising algorithms. This project would suit a student with strong interests in flow chemistry and applied catalysis, and in the use of state-of-the-art automated techniques. The student will benefit from working within teams of researchers approaching challenges in process development and catalysis.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Fine chemical industry is focused on the transfer of processes to continuous chemical reactors as these not only give better control of the reaction conditions, selectivity and quality, but also significantly extend the safe operation conditions in terms of higher pressures and temperatures opening up new process windows and reduce catalyst costs. However, for heterogeneously catalysed reactions, the use of more extreme conditions in flow can cause significant issues for the type of solid catalyst pellets currently used. These include; leaching of metal catalyst from the supports, and disruption of catalyst beds and pellet crushing, both leading to a build-up of pressure across the reactor. All of these issues significantly reduce the efficiently of a process.&nbsp;</p> <p>So-called carbon nanoreactors, in which the shape of the carbon at the nanoscale is tailored to influence both the stabilisation of the NPs and the efficiency of chemical reactions, can lead to enhanced reaction rates and changes in selectivity of reactions simply as a product of the dimensions of pores within the structures. The shape of the pore can also be exploited to stabilise metal NP catalysts, reducing leaching and loss of activity.&nbsp; However, their application to date is limited by the fact that they exclusively exist as powders which are difficult to pack in catalyst beds without being compressed into plugs which cause huge back pressures in flow systems.</p> <p>In summary, the supported metal catalysts currently commercially available do not satisfy all of the necessary requirements application in high pressure flow reactors and promising carbon nanoreactor alternatives are not suitable for industrial application yet.</p>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees">University&#39;s website</a>. Please state clearly in the research information section&nbsp;that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Continuous Manufacturing with Carbon Nanoreactor Supported Nanoparticle Catalysts for the Self-Optimisation of Heterogenous Reduction Reactions</strong> as well as Dr Thomas Chamberlain as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, but UK black and minority ethnic (BME) researchers are currently under-represented in our Postgraduate Research community, and we would therefore particularly encourage applications from UK BME candidates. All scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit.</em></p>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; background-color:#ffffff; color:#333333; display:inline !important; float:none; font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;,arial; font-size:16px; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:100; letter-spacing:normal; orphans:2; text-align:left; text-decoration:none; text-indent:0px; text-transform:none; white-space:normal; word-spacing:0px">UK/EU&nbsp;- Engineering &amp; Physical Sciences Research Council Industrial CASE Studentships paying Home/EU of &pound;4,600 for Session 2020/21, together with a maintenance grant (currently &pound;15,009 in Session 2019/20) paid at standard Research Council rates for 4 years. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: &amp;quot;roboto&amp;quot;,arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 100; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: &amp;quot;roboto&amp;quot;,arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 100; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /> &nbsp;</p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p>For further information regarding your application,&nbsp; please contact Doctoral College Admissions by email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a>&nbsp;or by telephone:&nbsp; + 44&nbsp; (0) 113 343 5057</p> <p>For further information regarding the project,&nbsp; please contact Dr Thomas Chamberlain by email: <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">t.w.chamberlain@leeds.ac.uk</a>, or by telephone: +44 (0)113 343 6468.</p>


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