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Synthesis and Optimisation of Stimuli Responsive Metal-Organic Frameworks in Flow

This PhD studentship focuses on developing microwave flow reactor platforms for the discovery, optimisation, and scale-up of stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with new structures and particle characteristics. Metal-organic frameworks are porous coordination polymers with great potential for applications in energy, environmental sustainability, and healthcare. The project will investigate MOF self-assembly processes and structure-property relationships using advanced characterisation techniques including X-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscopy, IR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and gas sorption. The research will be conducted in the School of Chemistry and Institute of Process Research and Development at the University of Leeds, under the supervision of Dr. Andrea Laybourn and Dr. Chris Pask. The successful candidate will join a group of over 65 scientists and engineers with world-leading expertise in closed-loop manufacturing processes, machine-learning and online analytics, supported by state-of-the-art equipment in the Bragg Centre for Materials Research. This project combines flow and materials chemistry, characterisation, and reaction optimisation, offering training in synthetic coordination chemistry, advanced characterisation techniques, machine learning and operation of flow chemistry platforms.