Klingeler & Blasco, Deschler, Ludwigs group

The development of new solid-state electrode and electrolyte materials is key for further breakthroughs in electrochemical energy storage. Studying the performance parameters of these materials hence provides important information on their potential for applications. Such experiments are also relevant in fundamental research since electrochemical studies on battery-cells provide valuable insights into the materials’ ionic and electronic transport properties. If the materials under study are in addition photo-active, light can be used to tune their properties, thereby providing additional access to either improve their performance or to investigate their fundamental properties.

The project will address both aspects: (1) Studies of the electrochemical performance of new hybrid and organic electrode materials both in the dark and under illumination to gain key parameters and to exploit photo-activated processes for better performances. (2) Using battery studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms of coupled ionic-electronic transport. In the project, such materials will be synthesized and investigated by various impedance and electrochemical studies. The set-up of a new electrochemical in-situ experiment is envisaged. The project will be performed as a collaboration between the GRK groups of Klingeler, Blasco, Ludwigs, and Deschler. It requires a background in chemistry, materials science, or condensed matter physics.  Experience in materials synthesis, lithium-ion batteries or impedance spectroscopy is of advantage but not mandatory.