Topic 01-13 : Innovative electrolytes for high power devices

The realization of innovative electrolytes is essential to develop advanced high power devices. These electrolytes need to display optimized transport and thermal properties, high (electro)chemical stability, high safety and low toxicity. Furthermore, they need to be highly compatible with the electrode materials.

In this work we will develop innovative lithium-based electrolytes containing carbonates, nitriles, glyme, cyano-ester and glyoxal (and mixtures of them) and different type of lithium salts. The dependence of the conductivity, viscosity and density of these electrolytes on the temperature, as well as their thermal and electrochemical stability will be investigated in detail. The impact of these electrolytes on the stability of charged electrodes at high temperature, e.g. at 60°C, will be analysed. Utilizing “in-operando” cell coupled with FTIR/GC-MS/LC-MS and in-situ Raman also the decomposition processes taking place in these novel electrolytic solutions will be investigated. These electrolytes will be utilized for the realization of high power devices containing MXenes, (prepared in P. Simon´s lab) and new oxide and carbide-based material (prepared in T. Brousse´s lab), which will be assembled and tested in Jena.

The PhD student will make secondment in Prof. Simon labs in Toulouse to learn about the synthesis of MXenes and investigate the interfacial processes taking place between these materials and the novel electrolytes. Furthermore, he/she will also make a secondment at the University of Nantes where, in the Brousse´s labs, will learn about the synthesis and characterization of new oxide and carbide-based material. The whole mobility should be about one year total within the three years of the PhD.