Nanocomposite Solid Lubricant Coatings for Tribocorrosion Protection of Light Alloys

We welcome applications from candidates to work with our interdisciplinary and collaborative team on a project on research and development of innovative surface treatments of advanced engineering materials.

The project will be based in Manchester at the Henry Royce Institute. The Royce is a multidisciplinary research institute that offers an open, accessible and collaborative environment to develop and exploit the UK’s world-leading excellence in advanced materials research. This project is aligned with the theme Materials for Demanding Environments; therefore, the candidate will benefit from a complete range of processing, characterisation and testing facilities available in-house. Moreover, the candidate will have access to the most prominent academics working on similar topics and training activities that will contribute to developing professional networks.

Lightweighting engineering components is one of the main strategies to achieve net-zero targets. Application of light alloys, such as Al and Mg alloys is the common approach to implement this strategy. For structurally loaded kinematic contacts, this relies upon application of coatings that provide metal surfaces with both wear resistance and lubricity. Additionally, when exposed to aggressive environments, reactive light alloys require protection from corrosion, which significantly restricts the range of suitable coating materials and deposition techniques available. This project will explore the capabilities of electrolytic plasma processing techniques to create oxide ceramic surface layers doped with transition metal dichalcogenide (MX2) nanoparticles for simultaneous protection of light alloys from wear and corrosion. It is expected that due to 2D layered crystal structure, MX2 compounds will provide hard oxide ceramic matrix with suitable lubricity, whereas MxOy compounds with corrosion inhibiting properties will be generated in wear debris on the cites with the highest risk of corrosion attack. The studies will be primarily focused on understanding how the nature of transition metal in disulphate compounds and their concentration in the surface oxide matrix affect tribocorrosion behaviour of light alloys in aqueous solutions with different pH. The characterisation will include a combination of spatially resolved electrochemical techniques to evaluate corrosion mechanisms with microscopy and microanalysis methods to reveal damage propagation through the surface layer.

Eligibility

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or a related discipline. Applicants with publications in closely related disciplines are positively considered.

Funding

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project, Dr Aleksey Yerokhin (Aleksey.Yerokhin@manchester.ac.uk), before you apply.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).