PhD studentships
Preparation of nanostructured photocatalytic TiO2-based thin films by lasers for inactivation of bacteria
A paticular phase of TiO2, anatase, is known to be effective for the disintegration and destruction of common bacteira under UV light irradiation. Sun light and even office light have been found sufficient to initiate such photo-activation. The formation of nano-particle films on a substrate surface has been found most effective for the bactiera disinfection. However, anatase requires specific temperature (below melting points) and thermal history to form. Existing methods for the formation of thin anatase films on the surfaces of an object include the use of a furnace to treat sol-gel films and the use of plasma spray technique to partially (<30%) convert TiO2 particles or a liquid feed stock (organic compounds containing Ti) into anatase. The former method has a limitation on component size and the latter technique suffers from low anatase quantity in the final film due to poor temperature control. Also both methods suffer from poor adhesion to substrates. This project aims to develop a new laser based technique - direct laser thermal spray of a liquid stocks to form nano-structured films on metal substrates. The material characteristics and effectiveness for the photoactivation will be investigated and comparison will be made with the existing methods. The use of a laser beam would enable much better control over the temperature and thermal history so that higher quality (>50%) of anatase and better bonding to the substrates would be achieved. The project is multidisciplinary, involving nano-technology, optical engineering, materials science, bio-engineering and mechanical engineering.
Full funding for UK students covers payment of tuition fees and minimum tax-free maintenance payments of £12,000 pa. Partial funding is available for EU students.
Closing date
There is no deadline for the application, but the majority of funding is allocated in June each year.
Please quote reference
PhD/05/03
Supervisor Contact
If you would like to have more details of the project please contact z.liu@manchester.ac.uk
Admissions Contact
Postgraduate Team, School of Materials
Email: pg-materials@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4824
How to Apply
You can apply for postgraduate opportunities online quoting the project reference number.
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