Young researcher : impact of smart components on electrochemical performances of Li-ion batteries - M/F

Job Description

Missions

Lithium-ion batteries have enabled the development of portable electronics and electric vehicles, due to the great amount of energy they are able to store for a reduced weight and volume. The tremendous success of these systems and the development of new large-scale applications (renewable energy storage, connected objects, etc.) require ongoing improvements. Especially, it is necessary to decrease the carbon footprint and cost of this technology for a large-scale development in the future. These improvements need increasing the lifetime and reliability of Li-ion batteries. This work will be carried out as part of the HEAL B&B project (France 2030 program, national acceleration strategy of research on batteries), in close collaboration between several research laboratories of the French Research Network on Electrochemical Storage of Energy (RS2E https://www.energie-rs2e.com/en/our-organization). The proposed project aims to enhance the lifetime, safety and reliability of batteries through the integration of smart functions and components designed to prevent or mitigate detrimental side reactions and, when possible, selectively repair degraded elements. Smart components like new functional binders with elastomeric and self-healing properties, or separators containing complexing functions to fix dissolved metallic cations are envisaged. Conductive binders based on p- or n-type conductive polymers will avoid the use of carbonaceous conductive additives, leading to higher gravimetric and volumetric capacities of the electrodes. Polymers with redox radical groups will provide a protection against overpotential based on the redox shuttle effect.

Activity

This research project will be conducted in close collaboration between IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for Environment and Materials, University of Pau & Pays de l'Adour, https://iprem.univ-pau.fr) and SyMMES (Molecular and nanoMaterials Systems for Energy and Health, University Grenoble-Alpes, https://www.symmes.fr). Interactions with LCMCP (Laboratory of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Paris, Sorbonne University, https://lcmcp.upmc.fr) are also planned in the project.
The recruited person will devote an important part of his(her) research work to study chemical processes taking place at electrode/electrolyte interfaces in order to understand and describe mechanisms. Interfaces between electrode materials and electrolytes are indeed the key point for the development of new battery technologies, because they are the place where a large number of limiting phenomena occur (side reactions, impedance increase, etc.), which must be controlled.
Specific tasks :
- acquisition of experimental data
- treatment and interpretation of data
- discussion of the results with project partners
- writing reports and publications
- oral presentations of the results

The postdoc will benefit from the following characterization tools:
- Electrochemical characterization methods: battery cycling, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
- Surface and interface characterization methods: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), time-of-flight secondary ions mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).
The postdoc will be based mainly in Pau, with some experiments campaigns in Grenoble. In addition to interface characterization performed in Pau, specific research stays will be organized in Grenoble (SYMMES) to perform complementary experimental work, including:
- Formulation and optimization of composite electrodes incorporating smart binders developed within HEAL B&B (slurry preparation, coating, drying and calendaring optimization).
- Electrochemical evaluation in half-cells and full-cells (galvanostatic cycling under controlled temperature, rate capability tests, long-term aging protocols, impedance monitoring).
- Development and validation of dedicated electrode transfer and transport protocols, particularly for post-mortem analyses. Special attention will be devoted to minimizing air exposure and preserving interfacial chemistry during cell disassembly, electrode recovery, and transfer between Grenoble and Pau.
- Implementation of standardized analysis workflows enabling reliable correlation between electrochemical performance and surface/interface characterization (XPS, ToF-SIMS, AES).
These experimental campaigns in Grenoble will ensure robust electrochemical validation of the smart components under realistic operating conditions and will strengthen the mechanistic interpretation carried out at IPREM.

Your Profil

Skills

The candidate holding a PhD degree in chemistry/physico-chemistry of materials should have acquired during his training a solid knowledge in chemistry and electrochemistry of solids, and/or in physical chemistry of surfaces and interfaces.
Proactive character, ability to analyze scientific results and to write and speak in English will be important points to select the candidate.

Your Work Environment

The expertise of IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for Environment and Materials, University of Pau & Pays de l'Adour, https://iprem.univ-pau.fr) lies in the knowledge and characterization of electrode materials surfaces and electrode/electrolyte interfaces in Li-ion batteries, microbatteries, and post-Li-ion batteries: Li-Sulfur, Sodium-ion, Potassium-ion, organic batteries, all-solid-state, etc. The laboratory has a world-class experimental platform in this specialty. It is active member of the French research network on electrochemical storage of energy (RS2E) and of the European Research Institute Alistore.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3 041 and €4 216 gross monthly depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions