SoftComp

Phd Position: MXene-based bijels for functional materials
2026-04-08 08:00 - 2026-05-01 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
In this PhD project, we will develop MXene-based bijels aimed at electromagnetic shielding functionality. The research project will start with material formulation. Subsequently, a fundamental study of the factors governing the bijel microstructure, including temperature and external flow fields, will be performed. Subsequently, the relations between bijel microstructure and electrical properties of the resulting materials will be investigated. Selective localization of the MXene particles at a liquid-liquid interface will lead to hierarchically structured materials for which the properties can be engineered by means of the microstructure in combination with the particle organization at the interface. With these conductive MXene particles, the particle-filled interface has the double functionality to provide mechanical stability to the bijel as well as to generate electrically conductive pathways through the material. Therefore, it will be investigated how various material formulation and processing conditions affect the viscoelastic and dielectric properties. At the end, the aim is to generate bijels with electromagnetic shielding functionality. The main techniques that will be used in the project are particle synthesis, bulk rheology, microscopy, dielectric characterization and electromagnetic shielding characterization.
