Polymer-ionic liquid composites for lithium-ion batteries: toward new polymer based solid electrolytes // Polymer-ionic liquid composites for lithium-ion batteries: toward new polymer based solid electrolytes

Organisation/Company

Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Leading Researcher (R4)
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

France

Application Deadline

23 Jan 2024 – 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The proposed project concerns the synthesis of new solid electrolyte membranes based on thermostable polymers and ionic liquids (ILs) for being used as ion-conducting membranes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The originality of this approach lies in the use of polycyanurates (PCNs), a family of thermosetting polymers with unique intrinsic properties (high chemical and thermal resistance, low dielectric constant and strong adhesion to conductive metals and composites) as polymer matrix for impregnating ILs. These polymers have mainly been used as binders in high performance structural composites, especially in the aeronautical and aerospace industry but have not been exploited in the microelectronics industry yet because of their brittleness while suitable polymer materials used in microelectronic devices must be flexible. Recently, we have found that the presence of a small amount of ILs during the step of forming PCN networks produces flexible conductive PCN-ILs membranes that could replace both microporous separators and flammable volatile organic electrolytes in Li-ion batteries. Indeed, thanks to the presence of nano-domains containing ILs, these membranes would facilitate the mobility of Li+ cations while maintaining the electronic insulation even at a high temperature. They would also act as a physical barrier against dendritic growth, hence reducing the risk of short circuit, thermal runaway, explosion and thus significantly improving the safety of LIBs and therefore would enable to replace conventional anodic materials, i.e. graphite, by metallic lithium one for producing metallic lithium batteries (MLBs) with very high energy density. It is noteworthy to mention that the impregnation of ILs would endow the membranes with the ionic conductivity with improved safety issues thanks to the non-volatility, non-flammability and no leakage of impregnated ILs. Moreover, recent studies show that the use of ILs can significantly increase the electrochemical properties of a solid-state battery, such as improving the long-term stability of lithium metal electrodes and the interfacial compatibility with electrodes. The main objective of this PhD project will be the development of high-performance ion-conducting membranes based on PCNs/ILs composites for being used in LIBs and MLBs.
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The proposed project concerns the synthesis of new solid electrolyte membranes based on thermostable polymers and ionic liquids (ILs) for being used as ion-conducting membranes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The originality of this approach lies in the use of polycyanurates (PCNs), a family of thermosetting polymers with unique intrinsic properties (high chemical and thermal resistance, low dielectric constant and strong adhesion to conductive metals and composites) as polymer matrix for impregnating ILs. These polymers have mainly been used as binders in high performance structural composites, especially in the aeronautical and aerospace industry but have not been exploited in the microelectronics industry yet because of their brittleness while suitable polymer materials used in microelectronic devices must be flexible. Recently, we have found that the presence of a small amount of ILs during the step of forming PCN networks produces flexible conductive PCN-ILs membranes that could replace both microporous separators and flammable volatile organic electrolytes in Li-ion batteries. Indeed, thanks to the presence of nano-domains containing ILs, these membranes would facilitate the mobility of Li+ cations while maintaining the electronic insulation even at a high temperature. They would also act as a physical barrier against dendritic growth, hence reducing the risk of short circuit, thermal runaway, explosion and thus significantly improving the safety of LIBs and therefore would enable to replace conventional anodic materials, i.e. graphite, by metallic lithium one for producing metallic lithium batteries (MLBs) with very high energy density. It is noteworthy to mention that the impregnation of ILs would endow the membranes with the ionic conductivity with improved safety issues thanks to the non-volatility, non-flammability and no leakage of impregnated ILs. Moreover, recent studies show that the use of ILs can significantly increase the electrochemical properties of a solid-state battery, such as improving the long-term stability of lithium metal electrodes and the interfacial compatibility with electrodes. The main objective of this PhD project will be the development of high-performance ion-conducting membranes based on PCNs/ILs composites for being used in LIBs and MLBs.
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Début de la thèse : 01/10/2024

Funding category: Financement de l’Union européenne
Programmes de l’Union Européenne de financement de la recherche (ERC, ERASMUS)
PHD Country: France

Requirements
Specific Requirements

Compétences en science des matériaux, chimie des polymères, électrochimie
skills in polymer and material science, electrochemistry

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne

Country

France

City

Thiais

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.abg.asso.fr/fr/candidatOffres/show/id_offre/119370

STATUS: EXPIRED