A PhD project offered by Dr Gavin Mountjoy and Dr Maria Alfredsson
(about Dr Mountjoy and Dr Alfredsson) (to application instructions)
Li ion technology the first choice for future battery technology. A number of advances are being sought. Changing from liquid to solid electrolytes improves safety and sustainability by removing organic volatiles. Introducing glass into the electrolyte lowers the working temperature which reduces energy expenditure and enables more applications. Additionally, a cathode reaction between Li and air (i.e. lithium-air battery) increases energy density.
This project will advance the use of lithium-based glass-ceramics as solid electrolytes. (Glass-ceramics are obtained by tempering a glass to introduce fine crystals which provide strength.) The focus will be on lithium alumino-titano-phosphate (LATP) glass-ceramics with promising Li ion conductivity (analogous to “NASICON” materials for Na ion conductivity). Also, LATP materials are suitable for lithium-air batteries.
This project will develop a detailed understanding of the atomic mechanisms for Li ion conductivity in LATP glass-ceramics. It will also increase the variety of these materials by including boron and silicon. The combination of understanding and exploration will be used to obtain solid electrolytes with superior performance.
Note that in the 1st and 3rd years the student will be based at University of Kent, and in the 2nd year the student will be based at Université di Lille. The student’s training in materials research and battery technology will enable a career in academia or with battery manufacturers, and hence further contribute to a change over to energy technology without fossil fuels.
For further details contact the PIs (above), or go to: Kent Lille Cotutelle: LATP glass-ceramic electrolytes to advance battery technology for a low carbon future