TOPIC #16
NMR as a multi-level tool to understand solid-state electrolytes
Research area: Advanced Methods; New Materials & Electrolytes
Keywords: Solid State NMR, Transport properties, Inorganic conductors
Supervising team: Michaël DESCHAMPS (CNRS-CEMHTI) & Marc-David BRAIDA (SYENSQO)
Abstract
Solid-state electrolytes are a key step for the development of next-generation all-solid-state batteries, but the full understanding of the relationship between morphology, structure and the ionic conduction properties is still missing.
The research project will be centered on the understanding of ionic conductors from their synthesis to their use in batteries, thanks to the intensive use of solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). NMR is a powerful tool for the in-depth structural characterization of solid electrolytes and the study of their macroscopic ionic conduction properties. The project will use advanced characterisations to solve concrete challenges faced by the industry and to unlock the commercialization of solid-state battery materials.
From a practical point of view, it will include an important work on in-depth structural and dynamics characterizations, using in particular NMR (indicative effort 50% ) and development of models (indicative effort 20%), coupled with synthesis of materials (indicative effort 30%).
Interest for the student
Expected mobility: The stay at Syensqo research center will be of course at the heart of the PhD with periods planned to synthesize set of samples with industry representative routes. In addition, Syensqo will provide the PhD student key elements related to industry: safety training, especially when dealing with sulphides, IP training and integration of the PhD project in a broader context of ASSB industrialization
Several summer schools are planned, for example on advanced XRD techniques such as Pair Distribution Function, as well as on impedance spectroscopy. Participation in conferences will be targeted with at least one oral in international conference during the PhD (eg: MRS, IMLB, SSII…
)In addition, the PhD student will use advanced characterization techniques using collaborations in the supervisors’ network. Temperature-controlled synchrotron X-Ray and neutron diffraction experiments could be used as additional techniques in order to probe order-disorder transitions and thermal motion factors.
Career opportunities: The topic and purpose of the proposed PhD is on solid state battery, which is an area of intense academic research as well as an extremely important topic for industry, being a key enabler for more efficient batteries. The deep understanding of new electrolyte materials and the full mastering of relevant technics to probe the structure-property relationships in these solid ionic conductors at various spatial scales is a great asset for the future PhD career. More broadly, solid-state NMR is a technique with applications in numerous fields (glass, catalysis, biomedical, pharmaceutical industry...) that will enable the student to explore other applicative fields in future career’s steps. The integration in a highly dynamic academic environment at CEMHTI, part of national and European NMR networks (Infranalytics [1] and PANACEA [2]), as well as battery networks and projects (RS2E [4] and PEPR Battery [5]), will ensure that the candidate aspirations towards an academic career can be successful. At the same time, being in the Syensqo premises, the PhD candidate will benefit of an exposure to industrial reality and challenges, which gives additional assets to orient his/her career.
