Vacancies

2 PhD student positions are available at ALD Research Group (Updated on 8th August 2024)

Project 1: Advanced Catalysts for Fuel Cells by Atmospheric-Pressure Atomic Layer Deposition (PI: Dr. Hao Van Bui)

Fuel cells represent a cutting-edge technology that revolutionizes how we generate power by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity through a clean, efficient electrochemical process. Unlike conventional energy sources, fuel cells emit only water and heat, making them an environmentally friendly choice with zero harmful emissions.

Conventional fuel cells use carbon black as the support for Pt nanoparticle catalysts. This combination exploits the high specific area of the carbon and the high catalytic activity of Pt. However, the high cost of Pt is a major concern of industrial manufacturing. Therefore, it is important to maximize the use efficiency of the noble metal. One of the efficient ways to achieve high-efficiency Pt catalysts is downsizing the Pt to the few-nanometer range, or even smaller, i.e., sub-nanometer and single atoms. 

The main goal of this project is to develop controllable processes for the fabrication of high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts at a large scale for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) by atmospheric-pressure atomic layer deposition (ALD), which is performed using fluidized bed reactors (FBRs), a special reactor type for ALD on powder-based materials. We will deposit Pt nanoparticles in a highly controlled manner on various carbon supports, including Vulcan carbon, graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes, and further explore the possibility of reducing the Pt content in the catalysts by creating alloys of Pt and a less expensive metal, such as Ni, Co and Cu. 

As a PhD student, you will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments on the synthesis and characterizations of the catalysts using the facilities in-house at Phenikaa University and our collaborators such as ICP-OES, MS, XRD, SEM, UV-VIS, FTIR, TGA… under the supervision of Dr. Hao Van Bui. You will be also in charge of investigating the electrochemical properties and evaluating the performance of the synthesized catalysts as electrode materials for fuel cells. This part of the project will be conducted in close collaborations with Prof. Se-Hun Kwon of Pusan National University and Assoc. Prof. Tu Le of the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Phenikaa University. Furthermore, you will be involved in supervising master and bachelor students in conducting experiments in the labs. 

YOUR PROFILE 

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent academic skills. A Master's degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering is required. Hands-on experiences in electrochemistry, thin film deposition (CVD, ALD, Sputtering), materials characterization techniques (especially ICP-OES, Mass spectrometry, XRD, XPS and TGA), fabrication and characterization of fuel cells and other energy conversion and storage devices are highly desirable. Good written and oral communication skills in English (B2/ IELTS 5.0/TOEFL 60/TOEIC 600) are required. 

OUR OFFER 

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION 

Please send your application to Dr. Hao Van Bui (hao.buivan@phenikaa-uni.edu.vn) by 1st September 2024. Applications should include a specific motivation letter and a detailed CV. The project is ready to start. 

For more information, please refer to ALD Research Group website: https://aldlab.phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/home.

Project 2: Enhancing Thermal Stability and Quantum Efficiency of Phosphors for High-Performance LEDs by Atmospheric-Pressure Atomic Layer Deposition (PI: Dr. Hao Van Bui)

Light-Emitting Diodes, commonly known as LEDs, are semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy directly into light. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, which generate light through the heating of a filament, LEDs produce light through electroluminescence, where electrons recombine with electron holes within the material, releasing energy in the form of photons. This process makes LEDs highly energy-efficient, durable, and long-lasting. They are available in a variety of colors and can be used in numerous applications, from household lighting and electronic displays to advanced medical devices and automotive headlamps. LEDs have revolutionized the lighting industry by offering an eco-friendly alternative that significantly reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Phosphors are vital components in LEDs, converting the blue or ultraviolet light emitted by an LED chip into a broad spectrum of visible light. However, their thermal stability poses a significant challenge; at high operating temperatures, phosphors can degrade, leading to a decrease in luminous efficiency and color shift. Improving the thermal stability of phosphors is essential to maintain the performance and longevity of LEDs, especially in high-intensity applications. Additionally, increasing the quantum efficiency of phosphors—how effectively they convert energy into light—ensures brighter, more energy-efficient LEDs. Advancing these aspects not only enhances the durability and color quality of LED lighting but also supports the ongoing push for more sustainable and cost-effective lighting solutions.

The main goal of this project is to enhance the thermal stability and luminescent efficiency of phosphors by atmospheric-pressure atomic layer deposition (ALD), which is performed using fluidized bed reactors (FBRs), a special reactor type for ALD on powder-based materials. We will deposit ultrathin protecting films on various phosphor powders in a highly controlled manner.

As a PhD student, you will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments on ALD of thin films and the follow-up characterizations using the facilities in-house at Phenikaa University and our collaborators such as ICP-OES, MS, XRD, SEM, UV-VIS, PL and TGA under the supervision of Dr. Hao Van Bui. You will be also in charge of investigating the luminescent properties and thermal stability of the phosphors as well as their performance real LED devices. For this part of the project, you will be working under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dao Xuan Viet of Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) and Prof. Pham Thanh Huy of Phenikaa University. Furthermore, you will be involved in supervising master and bachelor students in conducting experiments in the labs.

YOUR PROFILE 

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent academic skills. A Master's degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering is required. Hands-on experiences in synthesis and characterization of luminescent materials, thin film deposition (CVD, ALD, Sputtering), materials characterization techniques (especially ICP-OES, Mass spectrometry, XRD, XPS and TGA), fabrication and characterization of LEDs are highly desirable. Good written and oral communication skills in English (B2/ IELTS 5.0/TOEFL 60/TOEIC 600) are required. 

OUR OFFER

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION 

Please send your application to Dr. Hao Van Bui (hao.buivan@phenikaa-uni.edu.vn) by 1st  August 2024. Applications should include a specific motivation letter and a detailed CV. The project is ready to start. 

For more information, please refer to ALD Research Group website: https://aldlab.phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/home.


Fluidization of Black Powder in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

Fluidization of White Powder in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

In Situ Real Time Monitoring Chemical Reactions in ALD by Mass Spectroscopy