RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND CLEAN GROWTH - Developing electroactive materials formed through biological processes for energy storage applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Currently, Ni containing oxides, hydroxides and sulfides are being investigated as possible supercapacitor materials for energy storage applications. The synthetic processes involved often involve high temperatures and/or toxic chemicals (e.g. H2S). Development of these materials involves controlling the composition, particle size and morphology to optimise their electrochemical characteristics.
Materials formed though biological processes would be a novel route to produce Ni containing phases, such as Ni(OH)2, NixSy. Synthetic biology tools and techniques will be employed in order to engineer nanoparticle-synthesising bacteria in order to optimise the particles for use.
The project proposed will cover both the biological synthesis of the material, the structural and electrochemical characterisation of the materials and development of prototype devices.
The anaerobic bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20 is known to produce NixSy nanoparticles from a nickel containing solution1 and can recover Ni in this way from lithium ion battery leachates2. Proteomics data has already suggested a number of genes that could be targeted to alter size, composition and morphology. Synthetic biology tools developed specifically for use with D. alaskensis will be employed to test the impact of alterations to these genes. Beneficial mutations will be combined to ensure that the nanoparticles being produced are optimised for their electrochemical storage properties and the bacteria producing them are optimised for the process.
The phases that are produced would be characterised by a range of techniques including X-ray Powder Diffraction to identify the crystalline phases present, Scanning Electron Microscopy to investigate particle size and morphology, crucial for energy storage applications, thermal analysis to study high temperature stabilities and electrochemical characterisation to investigate the electroactive properties. Once materials with good electrochemical properties have been established, methods to develop devices for energy applications, such as supercapacitors or batteries will be established. These devices will then be tested for their long term stability.
Monitoring structural changes as a function of potential, i.e. any changes that may occur on using the device, gives key information on the performance of the material whilst in-service. With the new state-of-the-art X-ray Powder Diffraction Facility recently established in the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC), development of electrochemical cells that can couple with the X-ray Powder diffractometer will allow these changes to be investigated.
Materials formed though biological processes would be a novel route to produce Ni containing phases, such as Ni(OH)2, NixSy. Synthetic biology tools and techniques will be employed in order to engineer nanoparticle-synthesising bacteria in order to optimise the particles for use.
The project proposed will cover both the biological synthesis of the material, the structural and electrochemical characterisation of the materials and development of prototype devices.
The anaerobic bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20 is known to produce NixSy nanoparticles from a nickel containing solution1 and can recover Ni in this way from lithium ion battery leachates2. Proteomics data has already suggested a number of genes that could be targeted to alter size, composition and morphology. Synthetic biology tools developed specifically for use with D. alaskensis will be employed to test the impact of alterations to these genes. Beneficial mutations will be combined to ensure that the nanoparticles being produced are optimised for their electrochemical storage properties and the bacteria producing them are optimised for the process.
The phases that are produced would be characterised by a range of techniques including X-ray Powder Diffraction to identify the crystalline phases present, Scanning Electron Microscopy to investigate particle size and morphology, crucial for energy storage applications, thermal analysis to study high temperature stabilities and electrochemical characterisation to investigate the electroactive properties. Once materials with good electrochemical properties have been established, methods to develop devices for energy applications, such as supercapacitors or batteries will be established. These devices will then be tested for their long term stability.
Monitoring structural changes as a function of potential, i.e. any changes that may occur on using the device, gives key information on the performance of the material whilst in-service. With the new state-of-the-art X-ray Powder Diffraction Facility recently established in the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC), development of electrochemical cells that can couple with the X-ray Powder diffractometer will allow these changes to be investigated.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/T00875X/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2028 | |||
| 2890741 | Studentship | BB/T00875X/1 | 01/10/2023 | 30/09/2027 |