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PhD thesis position: Development of innovative quasi-single ion conducting polymer composites and salts for alkali metal solid state batteries

Job Summary

This PhD project aims at developing a competitive solid-state battery-technology based on the development of innovative polymer, quasi-single ion conducting composites and lithium salts. The work will be performed in close collaboration with an industrial partner, making possible the integration of developed materials in small prototypes.

Job Description

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

This PhD project aims at developing a competitive solid-state battery-technology based on the development of innovative polymer, quasi-single ion conducting composites and lithium salts. The work will be performed in close collaboration with an industrial partner, making possible the integration of developed materials in small prototypes.

Rechargeable batteries are the key towards fossil fuel independence. External components are required to ensure safety in current Li-ion batteries based on liquid electrolytes due to high flammability and instability at high temperature of these electrolytes. On this regard, polymer-based electrolytes, which comprise a lithium salt and an elastic polymer matrix and potentially an inorganic filler, have been investigated as important candidates for enhancing the energy density and safety of the next-generation rechargeable lithium metal batteries, thanks to their high stability, low flammability, light weight, good processability and compatibility with Li metal. However, important fundamental limitations must still be addressed, such as the low ionic conductivity, lithium dendritic growth, polarization of the battery during operation at high currents related to low transport number, and overall short battery life. Thus, the search of new solid electrolyte alternatives raise as a promising strategy to solve aforementioned issues.

The selected candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers and a secondment of 3 months in another institution is foreseen.

TECHNIQUES TO BE USED:

Standard operating procedures for organic and polymer synthesis.
Structural and physico-chemical characterization: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, ICP, X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Electrolyte/electrode preparation, cell integration, and component characterization.
Electrochemical testing.

Benefits

CIC energiGUNE is a research center specialized in energy, electrochemical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), thermal energy solutions and hydrogen, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance- BRTA, and, a strategic initiative of the Basque Government. CIC energiGUNE was created in 2011 to generate excellent knowledge and at the same time useful for the Basque business network, being a reference in knowledge transfer.

CIC energiGUNE has a dynamic research team of more than 100 researchers and is extremely well equipped with a wide range of up-to-date facilities that are fully available for all its researchers. Also, the European Commission has recently awarded CIC energiGUNE with the ´HR Excellence in Research´ which reflects its commitment to achieving fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures and certifies the existence of a stimulating and favorable work environment for researchers in the institution.

Comment/web site for additional job details

For more details on CIC energiGUNE's research activities please visit our website at http://www.cicenergigune.com