About the Project
Applications are invited to Engineering at the School of Mathematics, UEA, for a PhD in the field of nanotechnology, electrochemistry and manufacturing for energy storage.
High performance electronics have accelerated the development of advanced energy storage device such as supercapacitors (SCs)) [1]. SCs have demonstrated higher power density, shorter charging time, longer cycle life, and better operational safety compared with some rechargeable batteries [2, 3]. However, practical applications of SCs are still seriously hindered due to the relatively poor performance of the electrode materials, such as low specific capacitance in carbon based materials and poor cycling stability in transition metal oxides, etc [4, 5].
This project aims to develop a novel inkjet-printed technology to print solid-state SCs on flexible substrates. The PhD candidate will prepare some nano-sized electrode materials with controllable physical, electrical and chemical properties. The candidate will determine how the properties of the electrode materials influence the diffusion mechanism of gel electrolyte and the structural stability of the SCs. Finally, the candidate will evaluate the performance of the solid-state SCs in terms of specific capacity, rate performance, energy and power densities, and cycle life.
Project Start Date: Oct 2019
Mode of Study: Full-time
Acceptable First Degree: Degrees in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering and other related disciplines will be considered
Minimum Entry Requirements: UK 2:1
Early application is encouraged.
References
1. H. Sun, L. Mei, J. Liang, Z. Zhao, C. Lee, H. Fei, M. Ding, J. Lau, M. Li, C. Wang, X. Xu, G. Hao, B. Papandrea, I. Shakir, B. Dunn, Y. Huang, X. Duan, "Three-dimensional holey-graphene/niobia composite architectures for ultrahigh-rate energy storage," Science, 356 (6338), pp. 599-604, 2017.
2. K.H. Choi, J. Yoo, C.K. Lee, S.Y. Lee, "All-inkjet-printed, solid-state flexible supercapacitors on paper," Energy & Environmental Science, 9 (9), pp. 2812-2821, 2016.
3. L. Li, K.S. Hui, K.N. Hui, T. Zhang, J. Fu, Y.-R. Cho, "High-performance solid-state flexible supercapacitor based on reduced graphene oxide/hierarchical core-shell Ag nanowire@NiAl layered double hydroxide film electrode," Chemical Engineering Journal, 348, pp. 338-349, 2018.
4. S. Wu, K.S. Hui, K.N. Hui, "Carbon nanotube@manganese oxide nanosheet core-shell structure encapsulated within reduced graphene oxide film for flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors," Carbon, 132, pp. 776-784, 2018.
5. S. Liu, Y. Yin, K.S. Hui, K.N. Hui, S.C. Lee, S.C. Jun, "High-Performance Flexible Quasi-Solid-State Supercapacitors Realized by Molybdenum Dioxide@Nitrogen-Doped Carbon and Copper Cobalt Sulfide Tubular Nanostructures," Advanced Science, 1800733, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201800733
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