The interaction of semiconductor materials with aqueouselectrolytes governs the operation of a wide range of emerging technologies,including photoelectrochemical energy conversion, chemical sensing, andiontronic devices. At the heart of these applications lies the semiconductor/electrolyteinterface, where charge transfer reactions are dictated by the alignment of thesemiconductor's electronic energy levels with the electrochemical potentials ofspecies in solution. However, these band-edge positions are not fixed materialproperties and can evolve in response to pH, ionic composition, surfacechemistry, and electrochemical bias. Developing a fundamental understanding ofthese dynamic interfacial processes is therefore essential for the rationaldesign of next-generation semiconductor devices.
We are currently developing new methodologies to probe andunderstand semiconductor/solution interfaces. One particularly promisingapproach uses redox reactions with well-defined formal potentials aselectrochemical markers (i.e. redox probes) to infer the positions ofsemiconductor band edges. Such techniques are especially valuable fornanostructured and thin-film semiconductors, where conventional methods likeMott-Schottky procedure cannot be used.
In this project, the student will investigatethe band-edge positions of BaTiO3 (and/or SrTiO3) thinfilms in aqueous solutions using a series of electrochemical redox probes.Through systematic electrochemical characterization, the student will explorehow semiconductor energy levels evolve as a function of film thickness,electrolyte concentration, and pH. Experimental work will involve cyclicvoltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and complementary dataanalysis to establish correlations between redox probe response andsemiconductor band edge positions. The project will be carried out entirely atimec and will provide hands-on experience in electrochemistry, semiconductorphysics, and thin-film characterization. By collaborating closely withresearchers in the Chemical and Ionic Devices team, the student will acquirevaluable experimental and analytical skills relevant to both academic andindustrial research.
Type of internship: Master internship
Duration: 6-12 months
Required educational background: Bioscience Engineering, Energy, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Physics, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Divyansh Khurana (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Philippe Vereecken (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-255. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
We are currently developing new methodologies to probe andunderstand semiconductor/solution interfaces. One particularly promisingapproach uses redox reactions with well-defined formal potentials aselectrochemical markers (i.e. redox probes) to infer the positions ofsemiconductor band edges. Such techniques are especially valuable fornanostructured and thin-film semiconductors, where conventional methods likeMott-Schottky procedure cannot be used.
In this project, the student will investigatethe band-edge positions of BaTiO3 (and/or SrTiO3) thinfilms in aqueous solutions using a series of electrochemical redox probes.Through systematic electrochemical characterization, the student will explorehow semiconductor energy levels evolve as a function of film thickness,electrolyte concentration, and pH. Experimental work will involve cyclicvoltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and complementary dataanalysis to establish correlations between redox probe response andsemiconductor band edge positions. The project will be carried out entirely atimec and will provide hands-on experience in electrochemistry, semiconductorphysics, and thin-film characterization. By collaborating closely withresearchers in the Chemical and Ionic Devices team, the student will acquirevaluable experimental and analytical skills relevant to both academic andindustrial research.
Type of internship: Master internship
Duration: 6-12 months
Required educational background: Bioscience Engineering, Energy, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Physics, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Divyansh Khurana (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Philippe Vereecken (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-255. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
- resume
- motivation
- current study
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
