Optimizing Electrochemical Performance in Li-ion and Na-ion Battery Anodes through smart synthetic control and operando characterization

这个全额资助的博士生项目将研究锂离子电池的转换负极和新型混合负极系统。该项目将包括学习应用我们的新兴和灵活的合成方法，这些方法能够在氧化物材料中快速和可控地形成新的纳米级晶体形状。这为通过控制颗粒形态来优化材料的电化学性能提供了一条强有力的新途径。我们将使用广泛的技术(例如X射线和中子衍射、总散射法、电子显微镜、电池制造和测试)来充分了解合成和功能性质所涉及的基本过程。令人兴奋的是，我们将充分利用谢菲尔德全新的世界级操作员衍射和MicroCT设备来研究电池在运行过程中发生的变化。该项目的最终目标是开发新的转换负极和/或转换/合金混合材料，能够存储比目前使用的商业替代材料显著更多的电荷。所使用的方法和采取的方法将对其他储能和功能材料的更广泛研究具有巨大的相关性。候选人将与谢菲尔德大学一个经验丰富的研究团队合作。材料科学和工程部拥有世界领先的材料合成和表征设施，我们将通过广泛使用英国(卢瑟福·阿普尔顿实验室，Didcot)和国外(法国格勒诺布尔)的同步加速器和中子源来补充

This fully-funded PhD studentship will study conversion anode and novel hybrid anode systems for lithium-ion batteries. The project will involve learning to apply our emergent and flexible synthesis methods, which enable rapid and controllable formation of novel nanoscale crystal shapes in oxide materials. This gives a powerful new route to optimising the electrochemical performance of a material via control of particle morphology. We will use a wide range of techniques (e.g. X-ray and neutron diffraction, total scattering methods, electron microscopy, battery fabrication and testing) to fully understand the fundamental processes involved in both synthesis and functional properties. Excitingly, we will make good use of the brand-new world-class operando diffraction and MicroCT facilities here in Sheffield to study the changes that occur inside batteries during operation.The ultimate aim of this project is to develop new conversion anode and/or conversion/alloy hybrid materials capable of storing significantly more charge than currently used commercial alternatives. The methods used and approaches taken will be of huge relevance to the wider study of other energy storage and functional materials.The candidate will work alongside an experienced research team at the University of Sheffield. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has world-leading facilities for materials synthesis and characterisation, which we will complement by making extensive use of synchrotron and neutron sources both in the UK (Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Didcot) and abroad (Grenoble, France)