Hiwi Position for Molten Salt Electrochemistry
Hiwi Position for Molten Salt Electrochemistry
02.07.2026
Introduction
The electrochemical conversion of small gaseous molecules, such as H2O, H2, O2, N2 and CO2, has emerged as a promising strategy for energy storage and conversion reactions. Conventional aqueous electrolytes are limited, however, by the operation temperature at below 80 °C. A wide range of molten salts could significantly enlarge the operation temperature window ranging from around 150 to more than 2000 °C enabling radically different reactions with faster kinetics compared to low temperature processes. Compared to solid electrolytes, molten salts exhibit much higher ionic conductivity.
Similar to aqueous electrolytes, molten salt electrodes face the same problem, gas transport to and from the electrode. In this project, we will therefore design gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) in typical molten salt electrolytes (NaH2PO4, NaOH, NaNO3) and further employ them in a series of gas conversion reactions including hydrogen evolution and oxidation (HER/HOR) as well as oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR). In this project, we will test the effectiveness of the GDE in different electrolytes and for different reactions.
What do you bring?
- Interest in electrochemistry and "high temperature" chemistry (no experience needed)
- Motivation to learn new things
- Experience working in a chemistry lab
What can we offer?
- Hiwi position until the end of this year for 10-20 hours per week
- Small and young group
- Opportunity for electrochemical experiment and system design
- Fundamental understanding of molten salt electrolytes
Application
If you are interested in this project, please contact rui.xing@tum.de with your CV for further information. This project will be hosted at the Chair for Catalytic Interfaces.
Die Stelle ist für die Besetzung mit schwerbehinderten Menschen geeignet. Schwerbehinderte Bewerberinnen und Bewerber werden bei ansonsten im wesentlichen gleicher Eignung, Befähigung und fachlicher Leistung bevorzugt eingestellt.
Contact
rui.xing@tum.de