AquaCell: Understanding cellulose-water interactions for the development of water-compatible batteries

AquaCell focuses on the investigation of water-polymer interactions in (electrically and ionically) conductive cellulose-based nanocomposite films, their integration into sustainable, water-compatible batteries, and eventually the upscaling of these batteries. The basis is a fundamental study of water-polymer interactions and how they can be tuned e.g., by ionic strength and water content within the films, and how this affects the dynamic structure of the hydration layer, diffusion pathways of water, polymer chain mobility, overall structure of cellulose-based nanocomposite films, and eventually their ionic and electrical conductivity. Key techniques to investigate these properties are neutron scattering (QENS, SANS), Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical characterization techniques such as EIS and CV, and molecular dynamics simulation.

This knowledge will be used to develop water-compatible Zn ion batteries that include cellulose-based electrolytes and cathodes with high mechanical strength, high ionic and electronic conductivity, and longterm stability. In a third step, we plan to outline an upscaling strategy of the Zn ion batteries, including large-scale deposition techniques (blade-coating and printing), reliable and reproducible drying processes, and a process control routine that includes an optical imaging system with advanced, machine-learning-based analysis.

Are you interested to investigate cellulose-water interactions on a fundamental level? Or do you want rather apply fundamental knowledge in next-generation batteries? Please reach out to me via lucas.kreuzer@frm2.tum.de, currently there are open positions for master students.