Understanding the cycling and degradation of atomically thin 2D/1D anodes for Li & Na-ion batteries with in-situ & operando scanning probe microscopy

二维、一维和零维材料的独特性质，脱离了它们的体层状材料，引发了一场材料革命。它们具有独特的性质、高比表面积、导电性和机械稳定性，可以组装成功能薄膜和电极。因此，预计这些材料将在未来的能源生产和储存中发挥巨大作用。最近的工作提出了一种在液体中形成2D纳米片的新方法[1]和具有独特特性的一维磷灰石纳米带(PNRs)[2]。通过利用大气控制的电化学原子力显微镜(EC-AFM)[3]和相关技术SECM-AFM(方法在英国建立了几个实验室来开发)，成功的候选者将成像和电化学表征2D和1D纳米材料电极在充放电循环过程中表面的纳米级变化。这将显示材料微/纳米结构变化(膨胀、破裂、表面层形成、金属电镀)对电池性能的影响。当与X射线光电子能谱(XPS)相结合时，我们将定量表征不同电荷状态(非原位)下相同粒子的化学成分。这将使人们能够真正具有代表性地了解材料的化学和机械性能。这些核心技术将得到两个机构广泛的其他表征工具的补充，包括电子显微镜(扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜)、X射线衍射、微拉曼光谱、EIS和广泛的电化学技术。在这个项目中，学生将发展合成、电池制造、电化学和能量存储的高级表征方面的多学科技能，同时发展与工业和学术界的密切联系。[1]Cullen PL等人...Howard CA，“二维材料的离子解决方案”。《自然化学》9.3(2017)[2]Watts MC等人...Howard CA《磷烯纳米带的生产》，《自然》568,216-220(2019)。[3]张等人……Miller TS“OPANDO电化学原子力显微镜：石墨阳极上固体-电解液界面形成：SEI形态和机械性能的演变”，美国化学学会应用垫。1944-8244(2021)

The unique properties of 2D, 1D and 0D materials, isolated from their bulk layered materials, has sparked a materials revolution. They have distinctive properties, high surface areas, electrical conductivity and mechanical stability, and can be assembled into functional films and electrodes. It is therefore anticipated that these materials will play an enormous role in future energy generation and storage. Recent work has presented a new method for forming 2D nanosheets in liquids, [1] and 1D phosperene nano-ribbons (PNRs) with unique characteristics [2].By utilising atmospherically controlled electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM)[3] and the related technique 'SECM-AFM' (methods few labs in the UK are set up to exploit) the successful candidate will image and electrochemically characterise nanoscale changes at the surface of 2D and 1D nanomaterial electrodes during their charge-discharge cycle. This will show the effects of material micro/nano-structure change (swelling, cracking, surface layer formation, metal plating) on cell performance. When combined with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), possible in this project without air exposure, we will quantitatively characterise the chemical composition of the same particles at various states of charge (ex-situ). This will enable a truly representative understanding of the materials' chemical and mechanical properties. These core techniques will be complemented by a wide array of other characterisation tools at both institutions including electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), x-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, EIS and a broad range of electrochemical techniques.In this project, the student will develop multidisciplinary skills in synthesis, battery fabrication, electrochemistry and advanced characterisation for energy storage, whilst developing strong links with industry and academia.[1] Cullen PL et al...Howard CA, "Ionic solutions of two-dimensional materials." Nature Chemistry 9.3 (2017)[2] Watts MC et al...Howard CA "Production of phospherene nanoribbons" Nature 568, 216-220 (2019).[3] Zhang et al.... Miller TS "Operando Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation on Graphite Anodes: The Evolution of SEI Morphology and Mechanical Properties" ACS App Mat. 1944-8244 (2021)