Preparation of anion conductive polymer electrolytes for the manufacture of anionic organic batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are used in various application ranging from wearable electronic devices to electric vehicles with an ever-increasing demand. This increase has led to concern on some metal resources (lithium and cobalt mainly) that are today considered as both strategic and critical. To lessen the strain on these metals, alternatives to lithium-ion batteries must be developed, one of the possible solutions are anion shuttle organic batteries. In an anion shuttle battery, the ionic species transport through the electrolyte is done by an anion (halide, BF4-, PF6-, TFSI-, …) instead of a lithium cation. This enables the use of a multi-electron active materials at both electrodes without the diffusion limitations usually associated with the post Li batteries based on multivalent cations (for example in magnesium or aluminum ion batteries). This PhD project is part of a larger state financed project with multiple partners (SONIC project from the 'Batteries' PEPR – funded by France 2030) which will develop organic molecules as active electrode materials for all solid organic battery. IFPEN will lead the development of anion conducting solid polymer electrolytes in a close partnership with the LEMPI laboratory in Grenoble. The main objective will be to synthesize innovative polymers with a high chain mobility and grafted cation groups bearing various counter-anions. The materials will then be characterized as electrolyte to determine their ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability and mechanical properties. Then the polymers electrolyte will be used to build full electrochemical cells with active materials provided by partners.
This PhD will be conducted between IFPEN (Solaize) and the LEPMI lab (Grenoble) with periods spent at both sites. Occasional missions to other SONIC project partners are also envisaged.

Keywords: battery materials, polymer synthesis, organic batteries, electrochemical characterisations

• Academic supervisor    Dr Fannie ALLOUIN / Dr Cristina IOJOIU, LEPMI
• Doctoral School    ED 510 I-MEP², Université Grenoble Alpes
• IFPEN supervisor    Dr David PASQUIER, ORCID : 0000-0003-3595-7606
• PhD location    IFPEN, Lyon, France & LEPMI, Grenoble, France
• Duration and start date    3 years, starting in the fourth quarter 2024 (November 4)
• Employer    IFPEN
• Academic requirements    University Master degree in Polymer chemistry, Material sciences
• Language requirements    English level B2 (CEFR) French level A2 (CEFR) 
• Other requirements    Knowledge in electrochemistry and work experience under inert atmosphere would be beneficial

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated below.