Electrochemistry of vanadate ions.

The student will investigate a series of vanadium oxides performing synthesis, structural characterisation and electrochemical studies. The main objective is to study high oxidation state oxo anions of vanadium. The singly charged VO2+ will be a particular focus. New materials will be synthesised under oxidising, acidic and hydrothermal conditions. These will be characterised by XRD, thermal analysis and electron microscopy. The ionic conductivity of produced salts will be investigated by ac impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical cells involving these materials will be characterised as solid state electrodes in both ambient temperature and high temperature batteries. Characteristics such as current/potential, capacity and cyclability will be investigated.