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 thruster.

In 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 shapeforming

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@ensma.fr

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 14th, 2025 Midnight Paris time !