Charles Coulomb Laboratory (L2C)

M1 and M2 internship

M2 – Engineering Long-Lived Catalysts
for Dense and Ultralong Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Context:
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) combine exceptional electrical, mechanical and chemical properties, making them promising building blocks for next-generation nanoelectronics, such as low-power-consumption transistors and flexible and transparent electronics. Yet their integration into large-scale technologies remains limited by the difficulty of producing nanotube arrays with simultaneously high density, long length and controlled electronic properties. Next-generation SWCNT technologies critically depend on a standardized
“nanotube wafer” with well-controlled properties, similar to silicon wafers, to enable scalable and high-performance device fabrication. The target is a wafer featuring high-density, ultralong arrays of SWCNTs with a high fraction of semiconducting nanotubes. This is the objective of the MENDEL consortium (2027-2030) composed of Laboratory Charles Coulomb in Montpellier and
Laboratory MEM at CEA Grenoble, and funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR).

A major challenge is that the catalyst nanoparticles progressively lose their activity during growth, limiting the length and density of the resulting nanotube arrays. The central question is how the composition and thickness of ultrathin catalyst layers influence catalyst lifetime during CVD growth, and how this ultimately affects the density and length of the resulting SWCNT arrays. Understanding and controlling catalyst deactivation is therefore a key step toward
achieving ultralong and dense SWCNT arrays.

During the internship, you will develop hands-on expertise in thin-film deposition, catalyst engineering, CVD growth of CNTs, and advanced characterization techniques. You will prepare ultrathin catalyst systems using state-of-the-art deposition techniques, grow horizontally aligned CNT arrays by CVD, and characterize individual nanotubes using charge-contrast SEM, AFM, and resonant Raman spectroscopy. The project will also involve quantitative analysis and image
processing of the SEM, AFM and Raman data to establish correlations between catalyst properties and CNT growth. You will systematically investigate how catalyst composition and thickness influence catalyst lifetime, with the aim of achieving longer nanotubes while maintaining high growth density.

You will be fully immersed in hands-on experimental research within the Nanomaterials team of L2C, working closely with two researchers specialized in carbon nanotube growth and characterization and interacting regularly with researchers from the MENDEL consortium.
The internship may lead to a PhD opportunity within the MENDEL project, subject to performance and funding.

Who should apply?

  • Master 2 students in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanoscience, or related field
  • A strong interest in experimental research and nanomaterials
  • Interest in materials synthesis, surface science, catalysis, or nanotechnology
  • A rigorous and autonomous approach to experimental work
  • Good communication skills in English
  • Previous experience in experimental research or nanofabrication is appreciated but not required

Application date: open until the position is filled.
Starting date: between January and March 2027.

Internship supervisors:

Application details:

The candidate must send:

  • a personalized motivation letter detailing his/her interest and matching for the project
  • the transcripts of marks of Bachelor / Licence and Master 1
  • a detailed CV (education, coursework, and previous research experience)
  • the contact details of 2-3 academic or research referees.
    Incomplete applications will not be considered.