Masters project title: Use and recycling of potassium in the production of advanced carbon productsThe Masters by Research project will focus on the lab-scale preparation and characterisation of porous, activated carbon products using the lignite chars supplied by ECT. It will investigate the development of a practicable method for recycling potassium to enhance the cost-effectiveness of the process. The project will involve extensive material characterisation studies to understand the chemical, physical electrical and electrochemical properties of the synthesised materials. Other preliminary studies could include the use of hydrothermal and/or supercritical processes for upcycling and upgrading the low-value chars into nanostructured carbon materials.Industry Partner and Student Host:Environmental Clean Technologies (ECT) LtdSupervisorsrincipal Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Surbhi SharmaSurbhi completed her PhD (University of Ulster, 2011) and has extensive experience in synthesising, characterising and utilising graphene oxide and other nanostructured carbon hybrids for various electrochemical applications. She also has extensive experience in using characterisation techniques such as XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, Raman, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy techniques.Prior to moving to Federation University Australia in 2022, she was based at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, and the School of Biosciences within the University of Birmingham, UK. Here, she delivered on a number of national and international projects (funded by EPSRC, Science without borders-Brazil, EU and DSTL-MoD, UK) in the field of low temperature hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs, DMFCs), developing supported electrocatalysts, proton conduction membranes, corrosion resistant coatings, and exploring the use of microbes for catalyst development.Associate and Co-SupervisorsDr Wei Xie (Industry Supervisor, ECT)Wei, Research Manager at ECT, completed his PhD in 2013 from the University of Newcastle Australia. He currently works in brown coal up-gradation and Hydrogen production using Coldry technology. He has 10+ years of experience in coke making (2009-present), coal pyrolysis, gasification and combustion, low emission coal technologies, such as CO2 capture, hydrogen rich energy and high value products, mercury removal, and 5 years of experience for high temperature coal gases desulphurization (H2S) (2004-2009).Dr Alicia ReynoldsAlicia completed her PhD in 2015 and works at the Carbon Technology Research Group (CTRG) at Federation University’s Gippsland campus. Her current research uses organic analytical chemistry to understand and troubleshoot industrial processes with a focus on responsible uses of Victorian brown coal.Alicia's core interests include statistical methods for reducing large datasets to useful information, advanced analytical chemistry, and using research methods to solve real-world problems. Her current research includes increasing the robustness of local coal-to-other products and facilitating development of bio-refining processes in the Latrobe Valley.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8719-7357Assoc. Prof. Vince VerheyenAssoc. Prof. Verheyen has managed the $2.3M carbon laboratory and Carbon Technology Research Group at Federation University’s Gippsland campus since 2015. His >35 years’ experience with the characterisation and analysis of a wide range of complex organic substances using advanced analytical techniques such as GC/MS, HPLC, C13 NMR, FTIR and UV spectroscopy brings important experience to the project. He has played a significant role in the development and commercialisation of new humic and carbon products from lignite.A/Prof Verheyen's extended research profile
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rincipal Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Surbhi SharmaSurbhi completed her PhD (University of Ulster, 2011) and has extensive experience in synthesising, characterising and utilising graphene oxide and other nanostructured carbon hybrids for various electrochemical applications. She also has extensive experience in using characterisation techniques such as XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, Raman, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy techniques.Prior to moving to Federation University Australia in 2022, she was based at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, and the School of Biosciences within the University of Birmingham, UK. Here, she delivered on a number of national and international projects (funded by EPSRC, Science without borders-Brazil, EU and DSTL-MoD, UK) in the field of low temperature hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs, DMFCs), developing supported electrocatalysts, proton conduction membranes, corrosion resistant coatings, and exploring the use of microbes for catalyst development.Associate and Co-SupervisorsDr Wei Xie (Industry Supervisor, ECT)Wei, Research Manager at ECT, completed his PhD in 2013 from the University of Newcastle Australia. He currently works in brown coal up-gradation and Hydrogen production using Coldry technology. He has 10+ years of experience in coke making (2009-present), coal pyrolysis, gasification and combustion, low emission coal technologies, such as CO2 capture, hydrogen rich energy and high value products, mercury removal, and 5 years of experience for high temperature coal gases desulphurization (H2S) (2004-2009).Dr Alicia ReynoldsAlicia completed her PhD in 2015 and works at the Carbon Technology Research Group (CTRG) at Federation University’s Gippsland campus. Her current research uses organic analytical chemistry to understand and troubleshoot industrial processes with a focus on responsible uses of Victorian brown coal.Alicia's core interests include statistical methods for reducing large datasets to useful information, advanced analytical chemistry, and using research methods to solve real-world problems. Her current research includes increasing the robustness of local coal-to-other products and facilitating development of bio-refining processes in the Latrobe Valley.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8719-7357Assoc. Prof. Vince VerheyenAssoc. Prof. Verheyen has managed the $2.3M carbon laboratory and Carbon Technology Research Group at Federation University’s Gippsland campus since 2015. His >35 years’ experience with the characterisation and analysis of a wide range of complex organic substances using advanced analytical techniques such as GC/MS, HPLC, C13 NMR, FTIR and UV spectroscopy brings important experience to the project. He has played a significant role in the development and commercialisation of new humic and carbon products from lignite.A/Prof Verheyen's extended research profile
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