Expérimental
Context: Ionic liquids molten salts at ambient temperature, which are increasingly used as solvents, lubricants and electrolytes. The way they organize at the molecular level on solid substrates is crucial in many applications, for example for the selectivity and efficiency in heterogeneous catalysis. However, the interfacial structure of ionic liquids remains challenging to understand. It can be characterized experimentally by force spectroscopy experiments using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Internship's aim: AFM measurements will be used to investigate open questions on the organization of ionic liquids on mica, which is a key reference substrate in force spectroscopy techniques. PhD project: Ammonia is a promising zero-carbon fuel, but the current industrial process for ammonia production is too energy-intensive. The GREENH3 project, funded by the PEPR Hydrogène, aims at developing a more sustainable process for ammonia production. It relies on novel catalyst nanoparticles, working in an ionic liquid medium seeded with porous particles that act as nitrogen containers. We will investigate experimentally by AFM the various interfaces of interest for the GREENH3 project, in order to help select or design the best ionic liquid for this new catalytic process, and use the gathered knowledge to develop other ones. The PhD vill be co-advised by Cécile Cottin-Bizonne (iLM), and performed in close collaboration with the chemists involved in the GREENH3 project.