Unravelling Local Structure in Disordered Rocksalt Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries
About the Project
The Department of Chemistry at Lancaster University is pleased to offer a fully funded PhD studentship as part of the Faraday Institution PhD Training Programme, focused on understanding the local structure and ion ordering in high performance materials for lithium ion batteries.
Disordered rocksalts (DRXs) offer significant potential as next-generation cathodes for Li-ion batteries. DRXs have crystalline structures but, unlike traditional battery materials, there is no long-range ordering of the lithium and transition metal cations within the crystal lattice. Understanding how the cations arrange themselves on a local level is crucial for rationalising electrochemical properties and optimising the performance, and this has been a key aim in recent Li-ion battery materials research; however, this is very challenging by traditional characterisation methods such as X-ray diffraction.
This project will combine solid-state NMR spectroscopy with X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to zoom in to the local structure in DRX cathodes and understand how lithium, transition metals, and other dopants such as fluorine, are arranged within the crystal lattice. Experimental characterisation will be supported by modelling techniques including density functional theory calculations and machine learning of NMR parameters and interatomic potentials.
This project would suit a candidate who has interests in physical chemistry and advanced materials characterisation. The project will be supervised by Prof. John Griffin and Dr Xiao Hua in the Department of Chemistry at Lancaster University.
This project is also closely connected to major Faraday Institution research themes including thick electrodes, degradation, and next-generation energy-storage technologies. In addition to receiving a competitive UKRI stipend (£21,805 p/a), the successful candidate will join the national Faraday Institution PhD cohort and benefit from a bespoke Faraday Institution PhD Training Programme, networking events and industrial visits, mentorship and internship opportunities, and interdisciplinary cohort activities across the UK battery community.
Requirements
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a First Class or strong Upper Second-Class degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate interest in structure-property relationships of advanced materials, enthusiasm for experimental research and advanced characterisation, interest in materials modelling and theoretical calculations, and strong communication and teamwork skills.
Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous, though not essential: solid-state NMR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, materials synthesis, data analysis and/or modelling.
Eligibility
This PhD studentship is open to home students only (UK nationals or those with settled status), in accordance with UK Research and Innovation funding regulations.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!
