Ben Robinson
I started my PhD with the AS CDT in October 2021. I am now in the third year of my PhD working in the Energy Innovation Centre at WMG.
My research interests include:
- Incorporating highly conductive graphite into Li-ion battery anodes to enable rapid charging
- Studying the electrochemical effects of metal nanoparticles on graphene substrates
- Li-ion battery hydrometallurgical recycling techniques
- Analytical techniques to evaluate Li-ion cells and characterise electrode materials
PhD project
My PhD project focuses on improving the sustainability of Li-ion batteries by both testing net-zero anode materials and developing novel techniques to recycle used Li-ion battery cells This is aided by utilising a variety of analytical techniques to assess and characterise the materials produced, under the supervision of Dr J. Low (WMG).
Li-ion batteries were first commercialised in 1991 by Sony and have seen continual growth and adoption worldwide. They have been critical in the development of electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel reliant internal combustion vehicles and continue to show promise on even larger scales as stationary energy storage solutions. However, the supply of raw materials needed to produce Li-ion batteries has become a significant issue in recent years and so recycling techniques are needed to recover the critical materials from used batteries to produce new ones whilst also minimising the effects of any hazardous materials going to landfill.
Current trends for Li-ion battery recycling involve crushing and the battery packs into a uniform powder. Once the steel casing, copper and aluminium metals have been screened out, a 'black mass' is left over. It is in this black mass that the most valuable materials in the cell are. The recycling technique I am using is designed for the surface modification of the active materials in the black mass which will allow high efficiency flotation of the materials into pure materials to be used again.
For Li-ion batteries to fully replace fossil fuels in energy storage, they must require zero carbon emissions when produced at scale. By testing green graphite in batteries, we can help play an important step in arriving at the net zero goal in a sustainable way.
I have always found the idea of converting commercial waste into commercial product particularly fascinating as well, as it can be economically, socially and environmentally rewarding all at the same time (which is a very rare thing to happen).
Academic background
2021 Internship (WMG)
2018 - 2021 BSc Chemistry (University of Warwick) First Class Honours
Previous research
WMG Internship
"Synthesis, characterisation and evaluation of novel polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries"
Supervised by Dr P. Wilson (Department of Chemistry) and Dr J. Low (WMG)
The aim of this project was to vary the chain length of methyl polyethylene glycol methacrylate (MPEGMA) as one of the monomers in a tri-monomer mix of a statistical co-polymer. The co-polymer produced was used as a solid-state electrolyte and tested in Li-ion coin cells for impedance and Lithium plating. I was also involved with optimising the parameters for the polymer mixing process from which other MSc students used to make other alterations to the co-polymer; this involved using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to assess the monomer conversion and polymer dispersion.
Other interests
Outside of my research I enjoy playing rugby union for my local club due to the teamwork and physicality required to win a game. I have found it has hugely boosted my confidence and communication skills from both the competitive and social sides of the sport.