PhD thesis supervisor: dr. Linas Vilčiauskas (apply for recommendation)
The search, characterization, and optimization of novel compatible electrolyte/electrode systems for the next generation Li-, Na- and Zn-ion batteries
The search for new energy conversion technologies is one of the key issues in modern science and engineering. Electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, electrolysers, and batteries are particularly attractive due to their energy efficiency, selectivity and scalability. Various metal ion batteries are currently attracting a lot of research interest and undergoing intense industrial development. The main objective of this project is to develop new compatible electrolyte/electrode systems for the next generation of ion insertion batteries. Most of the currently used electrode materials still rely on the use of relatively rare and difficult to extract metals such as Co. The search for materials that are readily available, easy to recycle and non-hazardous to dispose is of particularly interest. Compounds based on common metals (e.g. Mn, V, Ti, Fe) are currently being investigated in our group. Electrolyte is another extremely important component of every battery cell. Currently, various solutions based on organic solvents are particularly common but are expensive, toxic, flammable and difficult to recycle. One of the objectives of this work would be to continue the search for a aqueous and hybrid electrolytes that are based on inexpensive and non-hazardous materials (simple salts, deep eutectic solvents, etc.) i.e. those that reduce water activity but that would be compatible with suitable electrode materials. This extends the operating limits of such systems (electrochemical window, reduced material degradation, solubility, corrosion).