Catalyst systems rocket grade hydrogen peroxide decomposition

Position: 26-135 Catalyst systems for rocket grade hydrogen peroxide decomposition
## 26-135 Catalyst systems for rocket grade hydrogen peroxide decomposition
* Doctorat, 36 mois
* Temps plein
* Expérience : pas de préférence
* Maitrise, IEP, IUP, Bac+4
* Propulsion European regulation “REACH” is likely to ban the use of current storable propellants such as hydrazine, due to their high toxicity. Thus, new liquid storable propellants have to be identified and selected to be respectful of both human health and the environment. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best candidates as oxidizer propellant in bipropellants thruster or as catalytically decomposed gas for monopropellant  this purpose, CNES, PPRIME and IC2MP have joined forces for several years to investigate such propellants, more specifically hydrogen peroxide and its decomposition thanks to platinum-based catalyst.

Previous studies allowed to address catalytic chamber sizing, catalytic activity, specific surface area and catalyst ageing depending on spherical grain diameters and thermal treatments imposed to the catalysts. Despite a high efficiency, even for 98% hydrogen peroxide, a rapid physical degradation of the catalyst accompanied by pressure peaks observed during testing led to the apparition of fines, causing partial clogging of the catalytic bed, in particular for smaller grain diameters.

Moreover, using high concentration hydrogen peroxide up to 98%, the high temperature of decomposed gas induced sintering of platinum over the catalyst. Hence several solutions need to be developed and tested to ensure longer catalyst lifetime.
1) As for hydrazine catalysts, double bed catalyst could be used combining different sizes of spherical gains.
2) Development of catalysts support and catalyst preparation to stabilize the active phase.
3) With recent fast development of ceramic 3D printing, monolithic structure could be developed to support the active phase (platinum in first time). Among others, such a support shape-forming may allow to prevent clogging.

Such solutions will be elaborated and tested in the IC2MP and PPRIME laboratories that already have all necessary setups to improve and characterize in representative thermodynamically conditions such catalysts in terms of reactivity and ageing.=================For more Information about the topics and the co-financial partner (found by the lab!);
** contact Directeur de thèse
- **** marc.bellenoue
** Then, prepare a resume, a recent transcript and a reference letter from your M2 supervisor/ engineering school director and you will be ready to apply online before March 13th, 2026 Midnight Paris time!## Profil Master or Engineer in Combustion, Fluid mechanics, Energetics, Chemistry
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