Associate ProfessorAlejandro Montoya

Highly motivated students are invited to apply for PhD scholarships offered by the University of Sydney, available to national and international candidates, to develop advanced research skills and undertake doctoral training under my supervision.

Project Opportunities

Title: Electrochemical Recovery of Critical Resources

Overview: I offer research opportunities focused on the electrochemical extraction and recovery of valuable resources, developing sustainable alternatives to conventional extractive and hydrometallurgical processes. This work aims to reduce energy use, chemical consumption, and environmental impact while enabling the recovery of critical and strategic materials essential to clean energy, electrification, and circular-economy technologies.

Research Scope: Research projects investigate electrochemical and electrocatalytic approaches for the selective recovery of metals from primary ores, mine wastes, industrial residues, and electronic waste, combining laboratory experimentation with reactor and process design. The work spans mechanistic studies, electrochemical characterisation, and process integration, with opportunities to develop scalable systems for resource recovery aligned with environmental engineering and net-zero objectives.

Title: Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass

Overview: This opportunity focuses on developing novel, low-carbon pathways to convert biomass into fuels and high-value chemicals through advanced thermochemical and reaction-engineering approaches. The research addresses key challenges in sustainable energy and materials production and is well-suited to PhD candidates seeking training in fundamental reaction mechanisms, high-pressure processing, and scalable process design.

Research Scope: This opportunity investigates electrochemical and thermochemical routes for upgrading biomass-derived feedstocks into fuels and high-value chemicals. The work includes electrochemical processing under mild conditions and hot compressed and supercritical water for rapid conversion and selective oxygen removal. The research spans mechanistic studies, laboratory experimentation, and process integration, with opportunities to work on continuous electrochemical and high-pressure reactor systems.

Title: Catalytic Microkinetics and Miniaturised Chemical Systems

Overview: I offer research opportunities focused on the microkinetic modelling and mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes, with applications in catalytic combustion and compact chemical reactor design. This work integrates quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, laboratory experimentation, and detailed kinetic modelling to develop validated mechanisms for complex homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.

Research Scope: Current projects include the study of methane, natural gas, and ammonia oxidation in catalytic micro-combustors, with emphasis on reaction pathways, NOₓ formation, and catalyst–gas interactions. The resulting kinetic models inform the design and optimisation of highly compact, integrated reactors, thereby contributing to the development of miniaturised chemical plants for efficient, low-emission energy conversion.