Understanding the critical role of interfaces and surfaces in energy materials
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
'Energy materials' encompass a wide range of technologies, ranging from thermoelectrics to fuel cells, batteries, photovoltaics and magnetocalorics, among others. Many of these energy materials are developed as multi-component solid state devices and these devices inherently possess a number of electrochemically active interfaces. It is these interfaces, e.g. solid/solid, liquid/solid or gas/solid, that control the function of the device, and are typically the source of degradation. Many current techniques used to analyse these devices and their components rely on idealised systems in high vacuum environments to gain information on the near surface chemistry. This necessitates the use of post-mortem operation analysis and clearly represents a significant mismatch from the conditions under which devices operate. Increasingly it is acknowledged that in-operando measurements are required, but that the measurements are themselves difficult and demanding. It is our intention to develop expertise with in-operando characterisation of energy materials. This will build on our existing expertise and capability in surface analysis and in-situ measurements. As an example, a fuel cell operating at 823K will be subjected to temperature gradients, cation segregation, potential gradients, poisoning and chemical changes induced by these conditions, all of which are inter-related, but separating the individual contributions has so far proved impossible. Similar issues involving the interface and surface chemistry of solid state batteries, permeation membranes and co-electrolysers will also be addressed using these techniques. By developing in-operando correlative characterisation we aim to deconvolute these processes and provide detailed mechanistic understating of the critical processes in a range of energy systems.
Planned Impact
The work that is proposed in this platform grant application is likely to have significant commercial impact and we will ensure that the necessary intellectual property (IP) is protected, with patents filed through the technology transfer office at Imperial College (Imperial Innovations). Imperial Innovations have considerable experience across many technology sectors including in the broad field of energy technologies and are fully prepared to exploit any results, either through licencing or through the founding of a spin out company.
It is likely that results of this research programme will be applied to other technology sectors particularly where in-operando and/or in-situ characterisation and testing would be of benefit, such as in sensors, supercapacitors and others. As we extend our interests to metal air batteries our research will impact the portable and automotive power sectors amongst others. These potential further applications will be explored during the period of platform funding, building on the expertise available within the wider energy programme at both Imperial. As our expertise grows we will engage new partners, nationally and internationally, to ensure that our advances in this area are more broadly exploited.
We will also generate data and outputs that will benefit the UK and international academic community, with many groups likely to benefit, including those active in energy materials research at, for example, Liverpool, Manchester, UCL, St Andrews, Durham, Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge etc. We will actively disseminate our work to colleagues in the Sir Henry Royce Institute, and the BP- International Centre for Advanced Materials. In order to communicate effectively we will host workshops at Imperial inviting key stakeholders to attend where we will discuss our latest advances, and provide open data, where appropriate, hosted through institutional repositories, to ensure our work reaches the widest cross section of potential users.
Perhaps one of the most important features and measures of impact will be the training of a large number of highly qualified personnel. We have named several current postdoctoral researchers who we envisage will, during the 5 year period of this support, develop fellowship applications and take up faculty positions either in the UK or further afield. This is a key strength of our application as we have a successful track record of nurturing talented researchers and ensuring that they progress to full careers, either in academia or in industry. This is illustrated by the team assembled for this application, with experience ranging from newly appointed lecturers to established professors. We will also recruit as yet unidentified researchers to provide expertise in new research areas, will host visiting researchers and will collaborate widely, ensuring dissemination of our research results internationally.
It is likely that results of this research programme will be applied to other technology sectors particularly where in-operando and/or in-situ characterisation and testing would be of benefit, such as in sensors, supercapacitors and others. As we extend our interests to metal air batteries our research will impact the portable and automotive power sectors amongst others. These potential further applications will be explored during the period of platform funding, building on the expertise available within the wider energy programme at both Imperial. As our expertise grows we will engage new partners, nationally and internationally, to ensure that our advances in this area are more broadly exploited.
We will also generate data and outputs that will benefit the UK and international academic community, with many groups likely to benefit, including those active in energy materials research at, for example, Liverpool, Manchester, UCL, St Andrews, Durham, Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge etc. We will actively disseminate our work to colleagues in the Sir Henry Royce Institute, and the BP- International Centre for Advanced Materials. In order to communicate effectively we will host workshops at Imperial inviting key stakeholders to attend where we will discuss our latest advances, and provide open data, where appropriate, hosted through institutional repositories, to ensure our work reaches the widest cross section of potential users.
Perhaps one of the most important features and measures of impact will be the training of a large number of highly qualified personnel. We have named several current postdoctoral researchers who we envisage will, during the 5 year period of this support, develop fellowship applications and take up faculty positions either in the UK or further afield. This is a key strength of our application as we have a successful track record of nurturing talented researchers and ensuring that they progress to full careers, either in academia or in industry. This is illustrated by the team assembled for this application, with experience ranging from newly appointed lecturers to established professors. We will also recruit as yet unidentified researchers to provide expertise in new research areas, will host visiting researchers and will collaborate widely, ensuring dissemination of our research results internationally.
Publications
Blumenthal L
(2017)
Energy level alignment at semiconductor-water interfaces from atomistic and continuum solvation models
in RSC Advances
Kahk JM
(2018)
Core electron binding energies of adsorbates on Cu(111) from first-principles calculations.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Zhang Y
(2018)
Electrodeposited nanometer-size IrO2/Ti electrodes with 0.3 mg IrO2 cm-2 for sludge dewatering electrolysers
in Electrochimica Acta
Hadden J
(2019)
Examining the charging behaviour of nickel hydroxide nanomaterials
in Electrochemistry Communications
Celikbilek O
(2019)
Enhanced catalytic activity of nanostructured, A-site deficient (La 0.7 Sr 0.3 ) 0.95 (Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 )O 3-d for SOFC cathodes
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Kahk J
(2019)
Accurate absolute core-electron binding energies of molecules, solids, and surfaces from first-principles calculations
in Physical Review Materials
Brugge R
(2019)
Germanium as a donor dopant in garnet electrolytes
in Solid State Ionics
Castellanos L
(2019)
Generation of plasmonic hot carriers from d-bands in metallic nanoparticles
Description | Our researchers are developing understanding of a range of materials for use in energy devices such as batteries and fuel cells. These are combining experimental and theoretical studies, and have led to the preparation of a new funding application led by Drs Lischner, Payne and Kahk. Funding application was unfortunately unsuccessful, but a new application led by Dr Lischner in collaboration with Dr Regoutz at UCL was also submitted. Initial studies by Dr Cali have identified challenges presented through in-situ transmission electron microscopy, and has led to further researcher programmes and engagement with instrument suppliers, leading to a purchase of equipment funded by the department of in-situ sample holders (~£250k). These measurements are associated with observing nanoparticle growth in-situ at temperatures of up to 873K and in correlating their surface structure with ex-situ electrochemical performance. Further applications have also resulted more recently with a successful application to the recent hydrogen call from EPSRC and partnership developed with Ceres Power resulting in the award of a RAEng Research Chair to Professor Skinner. This has led to further work on understanding the surface chemistry of electrochemical systems, such as in solid oxide cells, with work carried out by Dr Seymour and Dr Williams leading to new understanding of surface potential. We have also applied some of these modelling techniques to the understanding of Na transport in solid state sodium based batteries. This allowed new insights into the plating and stripping behaviour of NASICON based technologies in-situ. |
Exploitation Route | The initial work on nanoparticle exsolution and in-situ monitoring is of topical interest and is currently being used to support the work of a range of PDRA and PhD researchers within the group. The challenges of these measurement have also led to the investment by the Department of Materials in new equipment to ensure these features can be identified by electron microscopy. This new equipment procurement will be available across the research community at Imperial, and more broadly across the UK through the links with the Royce Institute. |
Sectors | Education Energy Environment |
Description | The major non-academic impact of this award to date is in the training and retention of skills, and in the development of new proposals and proof-of-principle studies. Several publications have been communicated and our staff will continue to communicate their results through forthcoming meetings. The electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry support has been of enormous value in supporting the training of multiple researchers. This includes in the preparation of future funding applications, particularly for independent fellowships. Our work has also resulted in a successful case being made to the institution for investment in new equipment with a commitment of over £160k being made. One of the researchers supported by this award has secured a position at University of Tartu as an Associate Professor, whilst we have also been able to develop a project with the Diamond Light Source to develop out knowledge of surface chemistry under challenging operational conditions. Staff employed on this award have also successfully secured research funding for Marie Curie fellowships and further employment in a range of roles. |
Sector | Education,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | (EPISTORE) - Thin Film Reversible Solid Oxide Cells for Ultracompact Electrical Energy Storage |
Amount | € 4,599,129 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 101017709 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | BREAKTHROUGH ZERO-EMISSIONS HEAT GENERATION WITH HYDROGEN-METAL SYSTEMS |
Amount | € 3,999,871 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 952184 |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2024 |
Description | Electrosynthetic approaches to hydrogen production for a net zero future encompassing new materials paradigms |
Amount | £252,385 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/W033208/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Investigating Ion Transport in Oxide Thin Films for Energy Applications |
Amount | £23,140 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/X005011/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | RAEng Research Chair Support |
Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Ceres Power |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 03/2025 |
Description | Research Chair |
Amount | £255,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RCSRF2021\1243 |
Organisation | Royal Academy of Engineering |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 03/2026 |
Description | Diamond Light Source |
Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration brings together Diamond Light Source and Imperial College in offering a joint postdoctoral research opportunity to further investigate surface structure of functional oxide materials. This position will run for two years, and with the support of Diamond, run beyond the end of the current grant. This will allow maximum value to be obtained from the research outputs and previously collected data. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaborating partner, Diamond Light Source Ltd, will be directly funding a PDRA position for a full 12 month period, augmenting the current award. They will bring expertise in data processing and analysis of truncation rod data, allowing detailed surface structure analysis to be undertaken. |
Impact | Just initiated, hence no outcomes to report. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Future Energy Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Part of the Imperial College Future Energy Festival event that promoted all of the energy research activities at college to a wide audience with talks, plenary lecture and demonstartions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | International Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An international conference jointly organised with an EU programme and the EPSRC funded platform grant was held at the Royal Society in London from 10-11th March 2020. Participants included consortium members and practioners from around Europe. Activity was aimed at dissemination of the recent results to the research community whilst also giving early career researchers the opportunity to network. Sponsorship of early career presentation prizes was secured from the Royal Society of Chemistry and Elsevier. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/engineering/materials/eventssummary/ev... |
Description | Invited Talk - CIMTEC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk entitled "Development and in-situ characterisation of fast ion conductors for SOFCs" at International conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |