TOPIC 12 - Nb-containing Phosphates as High Power Negative Electrodes for Batteries

LRCS Amiens, a mixed UPJV-CNRS Research Unit and UMICORE, a world-leading chemical company, are presently collaborating on several research topics related to positive electrodes for Li or Na-ion batteries, to solid electrolytes and to modelling of electrodes architectures, both at fundamental and applied research levels. Advanced materials are synthesized, characterized in depth in relation with their structural and electrochemical properties. Among the many topics and materials addressed worldwide in the field of electrode materials for energy storage devices, alternative chemistries to be used as negative electrodes for power-oriented devices are looked after, as substitutes to carbon or Li. Recently, several groups (Cambridge, UCLA, NorthWestern, Shanghaï, MIT, ....) have revealed fast and extensive intercalation chemistry in Wadsley-Roth - based High-Capacity Electrodes containing W, such as Nb16W5O55, or Nb such as TiNb2O7. The crystal chemistry of such materials is extremely rich and many alternate compositions can be envisaged.

LRCS and UMICORE, in possible collaboration with DESTINY partners (CIRIMAT Toulouse, Cambridge, for instance) will explore new compositions and test them in real working conditions vs. several positive electrodes in various battery configurations, i.e. using liquid or solid electrolytes. 

Supervisor(s) contact: MASQUELIER, Christian (christian.masquelier@u-picardie.fr)