PhD thesis on Li-ion batteries : improving lifetime and reliability M/F

Updated: 24 days ago
Location: Pau, AQUITAINE
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 25 Apr 2024

5 Apr 2024
Job Information
Organisation/Company

CNRS
Department

Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les matériaux
Research Field

Chemistry
Physics
Technology
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country

France
Application Deadline

25 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

35
Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This PhD thesis will be conducted in close collaboration between two research laboratories of the French Research Network on Electrochemical Storage of Energy (RS2E http://www.energie-rs2e.com/en/page/network-and-its-actors ): IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for Environment and Materials, University of Pau & Pays de l'Adour, https://iprem.univ-pau.fr ) and LCMCP (Laboratory of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Paris, Sorbonne University, https://lcmcp.upmc.fr ). Interactions with other laboratories: SyMMES (Molecular and nanoMaterials Systems for Energy and Health, University Grenoble-Alpes, https://www.symmes.fr ) and LPPI (Laboratory Physicochemistry of Polymers and Interfaces, Cergy University, https://lppi.cyu.fr/english-version ) are also planned in the project.
IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for Environment and Materials) expertise lies in the knowledge and characterization of electrode materials surfaces and electrode/electrolyte interfaces in Li-ion batteries, microbatteries, and post-Li-ion batteries: Li-Sulfur, Sodium-ion, Potassium-ion, organic batteries, all-solid-state, etc. The laboratory has a world-class experimental platform in this specialty. It is active member of the French research network on electrochemical storage of energy (RS2E) and of the European Research Institute Alistore.
The PhD student will be based mainly in Pau, with some experiments campaigns in Paris.

Scientific Context :
Lithium-ion batteries have enabled the development of portable electronics and electric vehicles, due to the great amount of energy they are able to store for a reduced weight and volume. The tremendous success of these systems and the development of new large-scale applications (renewable energy storage, connected objects,...) require ongoing improvements. Especially, it is necessary to decrease the carbon footprint and cost of this technology for a large-scale development in the future. These improvements need increasing the lifetime and reliability of Li-ion batteries.

Objectives :
The proposed thesis topic aims at increasing the lifetime, safety and reliability of batteries by integrating novel functions and smart components to prevent or limit secondary reactions or selectively repair faulty elements, like new binders with elastomeric and self-healing properties, or separators containing trapping/complexing functions to fix dissolved metallic cations.

Work plan :
The PhD student will learn electrochemistry of solids, elaboration of Li-ion batteries, their electrochemical characterization, and will spent an important part of his research work to study chemical processes taking place at electrode/electrolyte interfaces in order to understand and describe mechanisms. Interfaces between electrode materials and electrolytes are indeed the key point for the development of new battery technologies, because they are the place where a large number of limiting phenomena occur (side reactions, impedance increase, etc.), which must be controlled.
The PhD student will benefit from the following characterization tools :
- Electrochemical characterization methods: battery cycling, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
- Surface and interface characterization methods: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), time-of-flight secondary ions mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).


Requirements
Research Field
Chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Physics
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Technology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Languages
FRENCH
Level
Basic

Research Field
Chemistry
Years of Research Experience
None

Research Field
Physics
Years of Research Experience
None

Research Field
Technology
Years of Research Experience
None

Additional Information
Additional comments

The candidate holding a master's degree must have acquired during his training a solid knowledge in materials chemistry (organic or inorganic). Basic knowledge in electrochemistry and surface science will be highly appreciated.
Proactive character, ability to analyze scientific results and to write in English will be important points to select the candidate.

Criteria used to select candidate :
- Motivation, scientific maturity and curiosity.
- Knowledge in materials chemistry and electrochemistry.
- Marks and ranking in Master degree
- Ability to speak/write in English
- Send your application by e-mail with):
- CV
- Cover letter detailing candidate's motivations
- MSc marks and ranking
- Recommendation letters
- Contact details of at least two referees


Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5254-PASROC-002/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les matériaux
Country
France
City
PAU
Geofield


Where to apply
Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5254-PASROC-002/Candidater.aspx

Contact
City

PAU
Website

http://iprem.univ-pau.fr/live/

STATUS: EXPIRED