PhD Research Studentships

Sodium-ion batteries derived from sustainable feedstocks

Supervisor:	Maria CRESPO-RIBADENEYRA
Apply by:	29 January 2025
Start in:	September (Semester 1)

Description

About the project 

If we are to transition to a net-zero energy infrastructure we are going to require large amounts of energy storage. Energy storage enables the continuous use of renewables. For example, we cannot harness solar energy at night and we cannot capture wind energy if it is not windy. However, with energy storage we can capture the solar energy during the day to use it at night, or capture wind energy when it is windy to use at other times. 

Batteries, the most common device to store energy, come in various shapes, sizes and chemistries, depending upon the application. They enable storage and release electrical energy through a chemical reaction. In an ideal world, all these batteries should be cheap, safe, recyclable, light with respect to the amount of energy they can store (high energy density) and have the ability to charge rapidly (high power density) without degrading (long cycle life). Currently, the predominant technology is the lithium-ion battery (LIB) and the improvement of these properties is largely being driven by the electric vehicle (EV) market. In the best-case scenario (at a high-power charging station), a modern EV can be charged for 80-150 miles in around 30 minutes. This is disadvantageous when compared to a standard combustion engine vehicle with average ranges between 300 and 400 miles for a tank of fuel that can be filled in less than 3 minutes.  

Many researchers around the world are trying to address these disadvantages, and also pushing for the development of more sustainable battery technologies, as LIBs contain critical minerals including Li, Ni, Co and graphite. In this PhD project, we will be focusing on sodium-ion batteries (NIBs), a faster charging, safer and greener (containing materials that can be produced locally and from sustainable feedstocks) analogue that is yet to be fully commercialised. See some of our recent works for more details:

https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202201583;https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202101267; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.02.014; https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/acb570.

You will focus on developing new materials from sustainable feedstocks with a view to improving charge time (power density) the amount of charge stored (energy density) and evaluating the recyclability and safety of batteries. The goal of this PhD project will be to: 

1. Develop high-capacity anode materials based on sustainable feedstocks.
2. Understand the storage mechanism of ion storage. 
3. Upscale the production of the most promising materials. 
4. Delve into the life cycle analysis (LCA) of our materials vs benchmarks.

This project is highly interdisciplinary – you will gain expertise in materials chemistry, composite engineering and electrochemistry. This opportunity offers a unique platform to contribute to cutting-edge research in battery materials development and manufacturing technologies and make a significant impact on the future of sustainable energy storage.

Our research group 

Our research group values diversity in all forms. We are committed to spread respect and dignity across the society, starting from our lab, regardless race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age or nationality. Diversity for us is a synonym for innovation and we stand by those who are willing to take action where there is discrimination. We prioritise a healthy research culture, collaboration, and flexible work hours as needed. I will provide personalised mentorship, including working towards different career choices following the PhD. I am an active member of the EDI Steering Group at the School of Engineering and Materials Science and encourage applications from under-represented groups; I am also happy to discuss potential applications informally.

Funding

Funded by: China Scholarship Council
Candidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
• Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Maria CRESPO-RIBADENEYRA.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Materials Science full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):

Apply Now »

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-646" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Keywords:

Applied Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Technologies, Nanotechnology, Materials Science - Other, Polymers