In-Operando Studies of Electrochemical Materials and Processes

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Electrochemical devices are used in a range of important applications, including batteries, water treatment, chemical production, and emerging energy conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. Our goal is to understand how the intermediate length scales in these devices, from around 100 nm to 1 mm, affect device performance. These often neglected meso-scales bridge the gap between the atomic / nano-scale and device scales, and are critical to technology performance as they connect the surface processes to the bulk electrolyte. These meso-scale processes are influenced by transport processes as well as the structure of electrode materials at these length scales. Understanding the processes occurring at these length scales will thus enable us to design materials and devices for enhanced and optimised performance.***In combination with multi-scale modelling, the use of in-operando techniques can provide unique insights into the processes occurring in these devices. Intermediate length scales from around 100 nm to ca. 1 mm are accessible to relatively low cost, robust microscopy techniques, where samples can be under ambient conditions and are thus well suited to in-operando studies. In particular, confocal fluorescence and Raman microscopy will be used to observe the flow, transport, and species concentration distributions in operating devices. These techniques can be used to map the behaviour in both space and time, providing detailed quantitative information on the meso-scale processes in operating devices.***The research will drive innovation in the design of wastewater treatment and energy conversion and storage technologies, with improved performance and reduced costs. These technologies will benefit industry and society in Canada by reducing the cost and environmental impact of wastewater treatment processes, and enabling renewable and clean energy solutions.***The long-term goal of the project is to determine the relationship between the processes occurring at intermediate length scales (from a around 100 nm to 1 mm), and the performance of electrochemical cells for water treatment and energy storage applications.***Specific Research objectives include:***• To exploit optical spectroscopy techniques for in-operando studies of processes occurring at meso-scales in electrochemical cells. ***• To apply these techniques to water treatment (adsorption / electrochemical regeneration, electrocoagulation), and energy storage (flow batteries) technologies.***• To identify meso-scale processes that limit device performance in these electrochemical devices.***• To develop new materials, innovative cell designs and operating conditions for water treatment and energy storage applications.