PhD student (M/F) Development of a photoionisation microdetector for the detection of organic compounds by gas chromatography

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PhD student (M/F) Development of a photoionisation microdetector for the detection of organic compounds by gas chromatography

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Job description

Offer DescriptionLab context
The group of Analytical Chemistry and Materials for Environment and Health (CAMATES) develops analytical methods for the detection of organic molecules mainly in the air but also in other environmental matrices (water, soils). The activities of the team are structured around 3 research axes:

• Axis 1: On-line analytical methods via microfluidic devices for the quantification of air pollutants
• Axis 2: Off-line analysis methods via chromatographic techniques
• Axis 3: Adsorption study of organic molecules on various materials

This research project falls mainly within the scope of Axis 1. On-line methods combine sampling, species separation or selective derivatization reaction and near-real time detection. Microfluidics allows to obtain compact and portable devices.The CAMATES team is part of the Department of Chemistry for the Environment and Health in the Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l’Énergie, l’Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES), a joint research unit (UMR7515) within the École de Chimie, Polymère et Matériaux (ECPM) of the University of Strasbourg.Project context
This thesis will be financed as part of a project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), a summary of which is given below.Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are made up of two or more rings and are major air pollutants. They include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxy-PAHs, nitro-PAHs, azaarenes and thiaarenes. PACs are known to be reprotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic, even at low doses. However, their assessment is too often limited to the 16 priority PAHs. The main sources of airborne PACs are industrial processes, exhaust gases and heating. Through photochemical oxidation, PAHs form oxy-PAHs or nitro-PAHs.
Despite their strong impact on health, PACs are only measured in the air by off-line costly and time-consuming techniques. The online continuous monitoring of PACs in air including near the emission sources remains a challenge and a need for scientists and air quality
monitoring agencies.To overcome the drawbacks of current methods, this project aims to develop a miniaturised gas chromatograph (μGC), incorporating a micro-preconcentrator filled with a specific adsorbent and a selective microdetector, for the continuous analysis of PACs. The instrument will be portable and will continuously measure levels of PACs in the air simultaneously in the gaseous and particulate phases. To this end, it will be necessary to: 1) develop composite materials incorporating a PAC-selective nanomaterial based on preliminary results; 2) study the adsorption and desorption efficiencies of PACs with these materials; 3) design and manufacture a highly sensitive PAC-selective discharge photoionisation microdetector (μDPID); 4) integrate all of these elements into a μGC with
new electronics and controlled by software deported to a tablet.This work will draw on complementary skills in materials synthesis (partner 1, team 2), sorption studies (partner 1), microfluidics and microfabrication (partner 1 (team 1), CNRS RENATECH network) and the development of portable instruments operating in real time
(partners 2 and 1 (team 1)).The overall aim of this project is to develop a miniaturised gas chromatograph (μGC), incorporating a micropreconcentrator filled with a specific adsorbent and a selective microdetector, for the continuous analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs). The instrument will be portable and will continuously measure levels of PACs in the air simultaneously in the gaseous and particulate phases.

The aim of this PhD thesis is to design and manufacture a highly sensitive (μDPID) photoionisation discharge microdetector that is selective for PACs, and then to test the performance of the µGC under controlled laboratory conditions and during field campaignsWhere to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalentLanguages FRENCH Level BasicResearch Field Chemistry » Physical chemistry Years of Research Experience NoneResearch Field Chemistry » Computational chemistry Years of Research Experience NoneAdditional InformationAdditional commentsAverage in Master 1 and 2 above 12/20 (prerequisites for Doctoral School ED222)General, theoretical, or disciplinary knowledge:
– Analytical chemistry (in-depth knowledge)
– Gas chromatography (in-depth knowledge)
– Instrumentation and measurements (thorough knowledge)
– Air Pollution
– Materials Chemistry
– Materials characterization techniques
– English level B1 or betterKnowledge of the professional environment:
– Organization and functioning of higher education and public researchOperational skills:
– Write reports or technical documents
– Use the computer tools necessary for the control of analytical equipment and data processing
– Develop an analytical method
– Take into account the validity and limits of the characterization method used
– Apply the rules of hygiene and safety
– Work in a team
– Communicate with experts in his/her field
– Develop a technical specification Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l’Energie, l’Environnement et la Santé Country France City STRASBOURG GeofieldContact CitySTRASBOURG WebsiteSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin

Job date

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 04:30:37 GMT

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