Functional Materials for Advanced Zinc ion Batteries

Project description

Project Objectives:
1. Material Development: Design and synthesis of advanced electrode materials, catalysts, and membranes optimized for ZIBs, emphasizing high activity, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
2. Characterization and Evaluation: Comprehensive characterization of the developed materials using advanced analytical techniques, including SEM, XRD, TEM, and electrochemical methods to assess their structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties.
3. Performance Enhancement: Integration of the optimized materials into ZIB prototypes to evaluate their performance in real-world flow battery setups, emphasizing enhanced energy efficiency, cycle life, and stability.
Methodology:
• Material Synthesis: Utilize various synthesis techniques such as sol-gel, electrodeposition, and nanostructuring methods to fabricate tailored electrodes, catalysts, and membranes.
• Characterization Techniques: Employ advanced characterization tools including SEM, XRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis (CV, EIS) to evaluate the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the materials.
• Battery Assembly and Testing: Construct lab-scale ZIB prototypes integrating the developed materials and evaluate their performance through extensive electrochemical testing, including charge/discharge cycling, capacity retention, and efficiency measurements.

Outcomes

This PhD project aims to advance the understanding and development of functional materials crucial for the widespread adoption of Zinc ion Batteries, contributing to the advancement of renewable energy integration and grid stability. Expected outcomes include but are not limited to,
1. Identification and optimization of functional materials tailored for ZIBs, exhibiting enhanced electrochemical performance and stability.
2. Insights into the structure-property relationships of materials in ZIBs through comprehensive characterization studies.
3. Improved energy efficiency, cycle life, and cost-effectiveness of ZIB prototypes using the developed materials, paving the way for scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions.

Essential capabilities

Deep knowledge in material science, electrochemistry, physical chemistry, etc.

Desireable capabilities

Research experience in material science for electrochemical energy storage

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

Research Master Degree in Material Science or Engineering

Additional information for applicants

note: i-students must have own scholarship to apply (CSIR, UCG-NET, etc)