Electrochemical Conversion Of CO₂ Into Value-Added Chemicals: From Catalyst Design To Electrolyser Development

The electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable chemicals and fuels represents a promising strategy to address climate change while creating sustainable manufacturing pathways. Powered by renewable electricity, CO₂ electrolysis can transform waste carbon into products such as carbon monoxide, formate, ethylene, ethanol, and other industrial feedstocks, contributing to a circular carbon economy. However, widespread deployment of this technology is currently limited by challenges including insufficient catalyst activity and selectivity, poor long-term stability, and low system efficiency at industrially relevant operating conditions.

This PhD project aims to advance next-generation CO₂ electrolysis technologies through the combined development of high-performance electrocatalysts and efficient electrolyser systems. The research will focus on understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing CO₂ reduction reactions and translating this knowledge into practical device designs capable of achieving high conversion efficiency and product selectivity. The project aligns with Australia’s ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions while strengthening its emerging clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Aim
This project aims to develop innovative catalyst materials and advanced electrolyser technologies for the efficient conversion of CO₂ into value-added chemicals. Specifically, the project seeks to:

1. Develop highly active, selective, and durable electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction.
2. Design and optimise electrolyser architectures that maximise carbon utilisation, energy efficiency, and product yield.
3. Establish fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms, catalyst evolution, and device performance under realistic operating conditions.
4. Demonstrate scalable pathways for sustainable CO₂-to-chemical manufacturing powered by renewable energy.
5. The overarching goal is to bridge fundamental catalyst discovery with practical electrolyser development, accelerating the deployment of economically viable CO₂ utilisation technologies.

Objectives
The specific objectives of this project include:

1. Catalyst Design and Synthesis – Develop advanced catalytic materials with tailored surface structures, compositions, and active sites to enhance CO₂ conversion activity and product selectivity.
2. Mechanistic Investigation – Elucidate reaction pathways, intermediate species, and structure-performance relationships using advanced electrochemical, spectroscopic, and materials characterisation techniques.
3. Electrolyser Development – Design and optimise gas-diffusion electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies, and flow-cell architectures for high-rate CO₂ electrolysis.
4. Performance Optimisation – Improve energy efficiency, carbon utilisation efficiency, product selectivity, and operational stability under industrially relevant conditions.
5. Scale-Up and Techno-Economic Assessment – Evaluate the scalability, economic feasibility, and environmental benefits of the developed technologies for future commercial implementation.

Significance
This project addresses one of the most important challenges in the global transition to a low-carbon economy: transforming CO₂ from a waste product into a valuable resource. By combining catalyst innovation with advanced electrolyser engineering, the project will contribute to the development of efficient and scalable CO₂ utilisation technologies capable of producing sustainable fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity.
The research will generate new knowledge in electrocatalysis, electrochemical engineering, and energy conversion while supporting Australia’s net-zero emissions targets and clean technology priorities. The outcomes may enable future manufacturing opportunities in sustainable chemicals, renewable fuels, and carbon-neutral industrial processes. Furthermore, the project will provide advanced training in materials science, electrochemistry, and device engineering, preparing the successful candidate for a career in the rapidly growing fields of renewable energy and carbon management.

Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent organisation, problem-solving and project management skills. Experience or expertise in the research fields of chemistry, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, catalysis, chemical engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and/or materials engineering, are highly desirable. Additionally, the applicants should meet the eligibility criteria for entry into a PhD program at Curtin University.

This project is open to International and Domestic applicants.