Electrochemical Kinetic Investigation of Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries
Interdisciplinary Areas: | Power, Energy, and the Environment |
---|
Project Description
Electrochemical energy storage is a key enabler of the global energy transition, and aqueous zinc metal batteries offer attractive solutions for grid-level storage, based on their low cost, material abundance, inherent safety advantages, and high specific capacity. Despite this promise, development is hindered by low cyclability, partly attributed to unwanted and uncontrolled processes occurring at the Zn anode. Overcoming this obstacle requires a fundamental understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic processes that govern Zn deposition, surface passivation, and hydrogen evolution. The Gilbreth Fellow will investigate these phenomena using state-of-the-art electrochemical characterization techniques, like chip-based electrochemical mass spectroscopy and scanning electrochemical microscopy, that yield unprecedented in-situ quantification of reaction dynamics. This project aims to use such information to develop the most complete kinetic description of competing processes at the Zn anode that will ultimately guide development of this critical sustainable technology.
The Fellow will be co-advised by Prof. Jeffrey Dick in Chemistry and Prof. Brian Tackett in Chemical Engineering, who are committed to career advancement of the successful candidate. Notably, recent collaboration on this topic between Profs. Dick and Tackett produced several high-impact papers (Angew. Chem.: https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202319010, Adv. Energy Mater.: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202303998), and this project will build on that exciting foundation.
Start Date
Jan 2025
Postdoc Qualifications
The candidate should have a background in electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, electrochemical engineering, electrocatalysis, and/or battery technology. Experience with experimental research is preferable but not strictly required. The candidate should hold a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, or similar.
Co-advisors
Brian Tackett: bmtacket@purdue.edu, Chemical Engineering, https://engineering.purdue.edu/TackettGroup
Jeffrey Dick: jdick@purdue.edu, Chemistry, https://www.nanoelectrochemistry.com/
Bibliography
K. Roy, A. Rana, J. N. Heil, B. M. Tackett, J. E. Dick. “For Zinc Metal Batteries, How Many Electrons Go to Hydrogen Evolution? An Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry Study.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202319010. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202319010. K. Roy, A. Rana, T. Ghosh, J. N. Heil, S. Roy, K. J. Vannoy, B. M. Tackett, M. Chen, J. E. Dick. “How Solvation Energetics Dampen the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction to Maximize Zinc Anode Stability.” Adv. Energy Mater. 2024, 2303998. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202303998 B. M. Tackett, D. Raciti, A. R. Hight Walker, T. P. Moffat. “Surface Hydride Formation on Cu(111) and Its Decomposition to Form H2 in Acid Electrolytes.” J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2021, 12, 44, 10936–10941. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03131. G. S. Colón-Quintana, K. J. Vannoy, C. Renault, S. Voci, and J. E. Dick. "Tuning the Three-Phase Microenvironment Geometry Promotes Phase Formation." J. Phys. Chem. C 2022, 126, 47, 20004-20010. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c03973 |