PhD in Material Science Engineering

The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applications for a PhD scholarship in the development of all solid-state Li-metal batteries for safer and efficient electrochemical energy storage./nA battery is nothing, but an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte. However, the electrolyte of a solid battery must have a high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. We will employ a garnet structured ceramic, Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) as the electrolyte. The fabrication of the electrolyte will be done by field assisted sintering technology to ensure high density./nThe aim of the PhD work is to fabricate a solid-state Li metal battery with a performance at par with the state-of-the-art liquid electrolyte Li-ion battery. This would be achieved by obtaining a better understanding of cathode-electrolyte interfacial integrity and dendrite growth mechanisms./nLocation: Copenhagen, Denmark./nAs our new PhD student, you will be investigating the interfacial integrity of electrochemical plating/stripping of Li at the LLZO/Li interface and be working on developing new cathode with mixed Li ionic and electronic conduction based on LNMO and LLZO./nThe period of employment is 3 years.