Robinson Research Institute PhD: Novel magneto-thermal catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

A fully-funded PhD scholarship investigating a new approach to catalytic CO2 hydrogenation using novel magneto-thermal core-shell catalyst micro/nanoparticles. The project addresses the circular CO2 economy by exploring methods to capture and convert carbon dioxide into useful products. The research focuses on ferromagnetic particles that undergo localised rapid heating in an oscillating magnetic field, potentially decreasing energy demand and improving selectivity in the hydrogenation process. The student will synthesise novel catalyst particles, characterise their magneto-thermal behaviour, and establish a benchtop reactor system to test CO2-hydrogenation performance under continuous flow operation. This project is funded through the MacDiarmid Institute, New Zealand's Centre of Research Excellence for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. The student will be based at Victoria University of Wellington under the primary supervision of Dr. Chris Bumby and will collaborate with partner investigators at the University of Auckland, GNS Science, and the wider MacDiarmid Institute.