Research Associate – Anode-free Na Metal Batteries

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate to focus on the design of sustainable carbon fibres from lignin using either electrospinning and their application as anodes without excess of Na metal in Na metal  based battery systems. 

Na ion batteries will be the next in line to become commercial as recently announced by CATL. Na-ion batteries are currently relying on a hard carbon anode and either a layered oxide, a polyanion or a Prussian blue analogue as cathode. They use liquid electrolytes, most commonly NaPF₆ in EC: DMC. However, in this configuration, Na ion batteries are hindered by a low energy density (up to 100 Wh/kg - 120 Wh/kg) which is mostly due to the limited Na storage capacity of hard carbons (200-400 mAh/g). Using metallic Na anodes instead of Na ions intercalated within hard carbons, could provide a much higher energy density, as the metallic Na can deliver theoretically 1166 mAh g⁻¹. However, the use of Na metal is hindered by the dendrite formation due to repeated stripping and plating of Na upon battery cycling which, on a continuous Na metallic surface leads to uncontrolled deposition, nucleation and growth. These dendrites can lead to dead Na, poor Columbic efficiency and also to penetrating through the separator leading to short cuts and explosions.

This project aims to prevent the Na dendrite formation in Na ion batteries using metalling Na anodes. This will be achieved by plating and stripping Na on various 3D current collectors. Preference will be given to carbon fibres made from lignin via electrospinning, currently produced in the Titirici Group, that showed promising preliminary results in this field.

Na will be electrodeposited on these carbon fibres, ideally in a small pouch cell format. Once the best properties of the fibres will be identified for a best performance (which will be selected based on the deposition overpotential, Coulombic efficiency in symmetrical cells, cycle life, etc) these will be paired with an appropriate layered oxide cathode from which Na will be plated.

We are looking for a motivated research associate with research experience in electrospinning, carbon fibre production, carbon materials characterisation and experience in battery testing especially at pouch cell level. You should be able to work in a large and diverse team collaboratively and communicate well with the industrial partner funding this project. This is an industrially funded project by PETRONAS.

You will ideally have deep theoretical knowledge and practical experience in carbon materials and electrochemistry including batteries, especially Na-based anodes. Good communication skills are required along with the ability to write high quality reports, draft patents and publications and work collaboratively with the industrial partner.

Further Information

You can start immediately and ideally no later than by May 2024.  The contract will run for 12 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to research funding. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington & White City Campuses).

*New appointments will have a maximum starting salary of £44,876 based on experience

**Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £38,194 – £41,388 per annum.

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Magda Titirici (m.titirici @imperial.ac.uk)

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday, 2^nd April 2024.

For technical issues when applying online, please contact: support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk