Green graphite and graphene for lithium-ion battery innovation: Materials, manufacturing and characterisation
Supervisors: John Low (WMG), Marina Starkova (Graphene Star)
Graphite and graphene are important materials in lithium-ion batteries that power electrified vehicles, aircrafts and grid-scale electricity. For example, Tesla Model S contains up to 85 kg of graphite (which is a lot), while grid storage solutions need much more and graphene as an electrical conductivity enhancer. Very few materials can replace them today. But, their production and processing are not without environmental footprints. The sustainability agenda is therefore focused on producing, processing and using the world's greenest graphite and graphene, efficient with minimal wastage, free of emissions or environmental pollution. This PhD research will investigate these materials for lithium-ion battery innovation. Activities include in-depth materials characterisation and analytics, slurry preparation, electrode manufacture and electrochemical testing in close partnership with industry. You will carry out research using the world-leading facilities and expertise in Analytical Science at Warwick University and WMG Energy Innovation Centre, which is the UK facility for battery prototyping both learning and discovery platforms.
Person suitability
- A graduate in electrochemistry is suitable, or related chemistry and materials knowledge.
- Enjoy doing hands-on experiments and solving multidisciplinary challenges.
- Enthusiastic about lithium-ion battery, from materials characterisation to device manufacture and testing.
- Interest in rapid technology transfer between academia and industry.
Start date: 27 September 2021