The Institute of Chemistry of Materials and Environments of Poitiers (IC2MP) is offering an ambitious PhD project focused on Zeolite-Templated Carbons (ZTC), a class of carbon materials with unique properties:

-Exceptionally high specific surface area (up to 3000 m²/g).

-High electrical conductivity, comparable to 3D graphene-like structures.

-Hierarchical porosity (micro- and mesopores), ideal for applications in energy storage/conversion and gas separation.

These materials are synthesized via a sacrificial templating method: a carbon precursor  diffuses and reacts within the zeolite’s porosity, catalyzed by its acidic sites. After dissolving the zeolite, a nanostructured carbon skeleton (ZTC) is obtained.

This PhD aims to elucidate carbon formation mechanisms depending on the precursor, using in situ and ex situ methods. Various carbon sources will be studied to understand their impact on the structure and physicochemical properties of ZTCs.

Thesis Objectives

1. Investigate carbon formation mechanisms based on the nature of the precursor

2. Correlate precursor structure with the physicochemical properties of ZTCs (porosity, conductivity, stability)

3. Evaluate gas adsorption and separation performance (for CO2/H2 and CO2/CH4 mixtures) under real conditions (high pressure)

Methodology

ZTC Synthesis: Optimization of parameters (temperature, time, atmosphere)

Advanced Characterization:

• Structural: XRD, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), Raman/IR spectroscopy.
• Textural: Gas physisorption (N2, Ar, CO2, H2), TGA.
• Compositional: GC/MS, elemental analysis.
• Adsorption Tests: High-pressure isotherms, selectivity for CO2/H2 and CO2/CH4

Funding category: Contrat doctoral



PHD Country: France