TOPIC #19
Sulfide-based active materials for positive electrodes of solid-state batteries
Research area: Post Li-Ion Technologies
Keywords: Solid-state battery; Massive positive electrodes; Sulphide-based active materials; Advanced characterizations; Structural, redox and aging mechanisms; Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function analysis; Spectroscopies (NMR, EPR, XPS …); Microscopy (electron diffraction and atomic resolution images)
Supervising team: Laurence CROGUENNEC (Université de Bordeaux) & Pierre-Etienne CABELGUEN
Abstract
This PhD project is dedicated to the fundamental understanding of electrochemical properties of mixed ionic electronic conductors (MIEC) for solid-state batteries. Novel MIEC discovered recently open a vast chemical landscape for battery materials, however they are challenging to understand as their spectacular performances arise from short-range, nanoscale, structural characteristics. They can be used to replace the use of carbon in electrodes or even as 100% pure CAM electrodes if they are electroactive. The research places a strong emphasis on advanced characterisation techniques to investigate how these materials function and age during cycling.
The project, as a joint effort between ICMCB Bordeaux, Umicore and LRCS Amiens, seeks to understand new MIEC compounds by examining material behaviour from the atomic scale all the way up to the electrode level, the research uses methods like diffraction, pair distribution function analysis, multiple spectroscopic techniques (including NMR, EPR, and XPS), and high-resolution electron microscopy. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the performance, durability, and sustainability of solid-state batteries by tailoring the properties of sulphide-based positive electrode materials, paving the way for next-generation energy storage solutions.
Interest for the student
Expected mobility:
3 partners, ICMCB, LRCS and Umicore, and 2 DESTINY#2 PhDs will be involved in the project on sulphide-based massive positive electrodes for solid-state batteries. One PhD will be at ICMCB at the University of Bordeaux to address the characterization of the active materials, as well as the mechanisms involved upon their cycling in solid-state batteries, whereas the other PhD at LRCS at the University of Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens will be focused on prospective research of optimized compositions for the active materials, as well as optimized electrochemical properties in solid-state batteries.
The PhD candidate at ICMCB will spend most of his/her times at Bordeaux, but will closely interact with the PhD candidate at LRCS, sharing expertise and launching complementary advanced characterizations in one lab and in the other. He/she is also expected to dedicate time at Umicore for the characterization of electrodes, with a particular emphasis on advanced microscopy techniques. The scope may be expanded to include electrode and battery manufacturing as needed. The anticipated duration of mobility is 4 months, with short stays at Umicore, LRCS and at large scale facilities (Synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffractions).
Attendance at approximately one conference per year is expected on average for presenting (orally) her/his work. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to attend training schools to be organized by the MSCA Cofund project DESTINY#2 in which she/he will be enrolled. Importantly, ICMCB and Umicore laboratories will take in charge all the costs associated to the mobility path.
Career opportunities: The PhD candidate will gain experience through collaboration with both industry and academia. He/she will be engaged in advanced work on solid-state batteries and their characterization, acquiring valuable knowledge about battery performance and analysis techniques. This experience will expand future career opportunities in both academic and industrial sectors.
Additionally, the 3 partners have long lasting collaboration records and belong to European research networks and initiatives, such as the ALISTORE-ERI European network (5 Companies, 32 Academic Laboratories) and the French RS2E (Réseau français sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l’Energie, 18 Companies, 17 Laboratories, 3 EPICS). This generates fantastic opportunities for the PhD candidate enrolled in our Laboratories to meet people (established researchers in academia and industry, many PhD students), to share her/his results with the academic and industrial communities. This is essential for the future academic/enterprise career development and an important source of future collaborations within R&D&I projects.
Although this project is focused on battery materials, we believe that the tools and methodologies learned by the PhD candidate will be valuable for many other application fields. Material science in general is at the heart of innovation in a lot of technologies, and there will be always the need for highly trained students.
Contacts
IMPORTANT: you may contact the potential supervisors to have more information about the topic, however, sending them your application directly is not permitted.
