Catalysis in the Laboratory Astrochemistry of Nanocarbon Formation in Space (CAstroCat)

这个博士机会将在爱丁堡赫里奥特-瓦特大学化学科学研究所的实验室天体化学研究组获得，并将获得化学博士学位。该项目与EPSRC最近资助的项目“天体催化：富含空间的过渡金属的催化和光催化研究”(EP/W023024/1)相一致，将为学生提供探索实验室天体化学和现代催化科学前沿的机会。在这个项目中，我们将探索铁的单原子和小铁团簇(Fex；x=2-3)在与星际环境中平行于恒星和行星形成的条件下，通过使用热、光和电子对相应的羰基团簇进行脱碳反应而生成的单原子在促进碳质物种芳香化方面的作用。我们将与巴塞罗那自治大学的阿尔伯特·里莫拉教授合作，通过短暂的交流访问，探索这种化学的计算方面。该项目还与成本行动21126--空间中的碳分子纳米结构(纳米空间)的目标保持一致。

This PhD opportunity will be in the Laboratory Astrochemistry Research Group in the Institute of Chemical Sciences of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and will lead to a PhD in Chemistry. This project, aligned with the recently funded EPSRC project Astrocatalysis: In Operando Studies of Catalysis and Photocatalysis of Space-abundant Transition Metals (EP/W023024/1), will provide students with the opportunity to explore the cutting edge of laboratory astrochemistry and modern catalytic science. In this project, we will explore the role of single atoms of iron and small iron clusters (Fex; x = 2 - 3) generated by de-carbonylation of the corresponding carbonyl clusters using heat, light and electrons in promoting aromatisation of carbonaceous species under conditions that parallel those in interstellar environments moving towards star and planet formation. In collaboration with Professor Albert Rimola from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, a project partner in the AstroCat Project, and through short exchange visits, we will explore computationally aspects of this chemistry. The project also aligns with goals of the COST Action 21126 - Carbon molecular nanostructures in space (NanoSpace).