Advanced cathode design for high-performance Zinc-ion batteries
This is a collaborative project with the Deutsche Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany and the Kungliga Tekniska högskolan (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden.
Water-based Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) offer enhanced safety, lower cost, and environmental friendliness. However, achieving high performance and long-term stability in ZIBs remains a significant challenge, particularly concerning the design and optimization of cathode materials. This research project focuses on the development of advanced cathode materials tailored to enhance the electrochemical performance of water-based Zn-ion batteries.
The study investigates various organic (cellulose-based), water-compatible compounds, with an emphasis on optimizing their structural and electrochemical properties. By systematically exploring the effects of material composition, crystallinity, and surface modification, we aim to improve the energy density, cycle stability, and rate capability of Zn-ion batteries. Additionally, we address the interaction mechanisms between Zn ions and the cathode materials, with the goal of mitigating issues such as dissolution, phase transition, and structural degradation during cycling.
To characterize the cathode materials, a combination of techniques will be employed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural analysis, as well as electrochemical methods like galvanostatic charge-discharge tests and cyclic voltammetry for performance evaluation. Molecular dynamics simulation will support the experimental data.
Insights gained from these studies will contribute to the development of robust cathode materials, paving the way for the next generation of high-performance, sustainable Zinc-ion batteries.
Are you interested in developing next generation batteries? Please reach out to me via lucas.kreuzer@frm2.tum.de, currently there are open positions for master students.
Figure 1: Relationship between electrical conductivity and nanostructure of a cellulose-based nanocomposite film. (left) Schematic representation of the cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) agglomerates (rods)/PEDOT:PSS (red coating and spherical appearance) under initially dry (state I), humidified (state II), and re-dried (state III). State II and III are cyclic repetitive, where the blue arrow marks applied humidity and the yellow arrow the drying. (right) Conductivity (blue bars) as a function of exposure to low and high humidity. A direct correlation of the measured conductivity and nanostructure of the PEDOT:PSS/CNF films could be established. (Figure taken from C. J. Brett, O. K. Forslund, E. Nocerino, L. P. Kreuzer, T. Widmann, L. Porcar, N. L. Yamada, N. Matsubara, M. Månsson, P. Müller-Buschbaum, L. D. Söderberg, S. V. Roth, Humidity-Induced Nanoscale Restructuring in PEDOT:PSS and Cellulose Nanofibrils Reinforced Biobased Organic Electronics. Adv. Electron. Mater. 2021, 7, 2100137. https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202100137)
Please see these papers for more information
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aelm.202100137
