Next generation of sodium-oxygen batteries

Project description:

Environmental concerns such as the scarcity of fossil fuels have triggered, for some time now, the development of alternative energy sources such as batteries and fuel cells. Metal-oxygen batteries represent an important breakthrough for electrochemical systems presenting very interesting properties such as high energy density, low cost, increased safety and environmental compatibility. Among the different chemistries, sodium-oxygen batteries are of interest due to the abundance of sodium and stability of intermediates during the battery operation.

However, metal-oxygen batteries have not achieved its maximal performance, implying that much effort is yet needed. For that, in our group we have been working on advanced electrolytes composed exclusively by ions, named ionic liquids, which have proven stable during metal-oxygen batteries operation and hence increase battery lifetime.

Thus, this research project focus on the chemistry of sodium-oxygen batteries involving the assembly and characterization of such batteries. The student will screen a series of advanced electrolytes varying the chemical composition aiming to increase the cyclability and efficiency. 

Electrochemical techniques would be used in the characterization of the performance of the batteries which will be linked to the morphology and chemistry composition of the products attained during the battery operation using Scanning electron microscopy, Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. Training and support will be provided to the different characterization techniques.