Metal-Ion materials electrochemistry

The proposed work is to undertake a fundamental investigation of the electrochemistry and physics of metal ions in solids. Although the electrochemistry and physics of active lithium in solids has been studied in detail for many decades, relatively few studies have been conducted on other metal-ion systems. This leaves many interesting fundamental questions about the electrochemistry of active metal-ion materials unanswered. Materials studied in this proposal could potentially find commercial use in low-cost high energy batteries. However for this to happen a fundamental understanding of these materials properties is needed, which is the purpose of this proposal.Specifically, the goals of the study are to fundamentally describe the electrochemistry of solids containing active metal ions and how the metal ion identity, host structure and host chemistry affect their behaviour. Of particular interest is the electrochemical potential of the active metal atoms, the structural changes that occur during electrochemical metal ion insertion and removal and what makes some metal-ion systems inactive, while others are active. The research will consist of a comprehensive study of materials electrochemistry, phase behaviour and thermal stability during metal ion removal and insertion. Materials to be studied will be isostructural oxide materials containing different active metal ions, materials of varying structures containing active metal ions and nano-composite and alloy metal-ion host materials. This research strategy is designed to show how the choice of metal-ion and host composition and structure affect materials electrochemistry.