Theoretically, the Li-air battery can store more energy than any other device. It could revolutionise energy storage. The challenge is to understand the electrochemistry and materials chemistry of the Li-air battery and by advancing the science unlock the door to a revolutionary practical device.

This project will involve understanding the electrochemistry of O₂ reduction in Li⁺ containing organic electrolytes to form Li₂O₂ and its reversal on charging, the use of redox mediators to facilitate the O₂ reduction and evolution, and the exploration of new electrolyte solutions and their influence of the reversibility of the reaction.

You will use a range of electrochemical, spectroscopic (Raman, FTIR, XPS, in situ mass spec.) and microscopic (AFM, TEM) methods to determine mechanisms and investigate the kinetics.

We seek highly qualified, ambitious, imaginative, hard-working and self-motivated candidates.

The energy storage of these batteries is limited by the current generation of positive electrodes, which store electrons only on the transition metal ions e.g. LiFePO₄ (Fe^2+/3+). The project seeks to explore and exploit storing electrons on the O^2- ions, i.e. O^2-/- redox reactions.

Together we shall reveal the mechanism of oxygen redox, then use the new knowledge to synthesise new compounds that can store electrons on the transition metal and oxide ions, taking the energy density of Li and Na-ion batteries to a new level.

You will learn sol-gel, hydrothermal, and co-precipitation synthesis methods. You will use X-ray and neutron diffraction, TEM, NMR, XAS and RIXS to understand oxygen redox.

We seek highly qualified, ambitious, imaginative, hard-working and self-motivated candidates.