POSITION FILLED

Thesis subject

Lithium (Li) metal has an extremely high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g-1), low density and the lowest negative electrochemical potential (-3.040 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode), but it cannot be used directly in batteries due to the growth of dendrites during electrodeposition, which creates short-circuits in the battery and thus strongly influencing cycle life and especially security. A similar picture can be drawn for Na, an interesting alternative to Li, which has a similar theoretical capacity but also the same drawbacks. We will use two strategies to suppress Li (or Na) dendrite growth: the protection of the Li (Na) surface i) by an alloy film and ii) by a conductive matrix. Inorganic chemistry (organic if possible) and electrochemical knowledges (batteries) are needed. A good level of english is mandatory.

Work context

The PhD will run mainly at ICGM, at the University of Montpellier in the group Battery led by Dr. L. Monconduit & L. Stievano and also partially in Sweden, at the University of Uppsala (Group of R. Younesi and K. Edstrom.
The two groups are complementary: while both teams have a good expertise on battery materials,the team in Montpellier has also developed many spectroscopy experimental approaches for the study of the mechanism of bulk electrode materials as well as electrolyte/electrode interfaces, when the team in Uppsala has a strong background in electrolyte/electrode studies using in-house XPS and synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy (PES).

Co-shared PhD thesis (Montpellier-Uppsala) by ALISTORE-ERI network .