TOPIC #14
Material synthesis and assembling for electrolyte and catholyte components of All Solid State Na-ion Batteries
Research area: Post Li-Ion Technologies
Keywords: Na-ion batteries; All solid state batteries
Supervising team: Patrick ROZIER (Univ. de Toulouse) & Emmanuel NONNET (Saint Gobain)
Abstract
The PhD project aims at developing optimized methods to assemble All Solid State Na batteries. The approach will be based on (i) the synthesis and control of the microstructure of Solid Sate Electrolyte and Active Materials (ii) determination of thermo-chemical stability of the SSE/AM composite (ii) design and optimization of the process to assemble both catholyte and full cells.
A strong effort will be put on optimizing elaboration protocol of the materials to insure monitoring of the microstructure, possibility of one step synthesis / shaping of the SSE membrane while ensuring scalability and low cost. The produced materials will be characterized by XRD and SEM/TEM, and used to prepare Solid State Electrolyte and or Catholyte. The transfer/transport properties of the ASSB (components and full cell) will be characterized applying a range of electrochemical techniques (PITT, GITT, EIS) for some of them specifically designed to allow decoupling electronic and ionic properties.
The PhD student will be registered at University of Toulouse and supervised by Pr. Patrick Rozier (CIRIMAT) and Dr. Vincent Gabaudan/Emmanuel Nonnet (Saint-Gobain Research Provence). Aside secondments in Saint-Gobain Research Provence, short internships at LRCS (Amiens, France) are foreseen for testing extra process technologies or specifically designed operando techniques (transmission XRD).
Suitable profile would be degree in Chemistry with master in Chemistry, or Materials Science. Additional experience in electrochemistry and/or structural or characterization techniques is not mandatory but would be appreciated.
Interest for the student
Expected mobility: The student will be based at CIRIMAT and a 4 months secondment at SGR-Provence is planned during along the first two years for development of synthesis process of materials. Additional short visits for use of specific techniques or shaping processes are foreseen at LRCS. Aside training offered by the host institution, the student will also be offered specific trainings aligned with the PhD topic organised by DESTINY2. Presentation of results at international conferences is foreseen during the second and third year of the PhD (e.g. MRS, ECS or ISE meetings).
Career opportunities: During the PhD the student is expected to acquire a strong background in materials synthesis and structural characterization techniques and electrochemistry protocols and methods. In addition to that, secondments at industrial premises will allow broadening both knowledge and professional network with respect to career prospects.
The multicultural environment at CIRIMAT coupled to the broad research prospects of the research carried out ensure exposure to application fields complementary to batteries and also training in soft skills (communication, project writing, entrepreneurship etc.)
Contacts
IMPORTANT: you may contact the potential supervisors to have more information about the topic, however, sending them your application directly is not permitted.
