Description du sujet de thèse

Aqueous alkaline Zn/air batteries (ZABs) are one of the most promising energy storage systems today, being both durable and inexpensive. ZABs classically use a positive bi-electrode in which a separate electrode is used for charging (i.e. the oxygen evolution reaction, OER) and discharging (i.e. the oxygen reduction reaction, ORR). Beyond the development of catalysts, the kinetics of the OER/ORR can be improved by using an activation process such as a static magnetic field (SMF). Metal-based ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic particles will thus be developed.
The ICMCB PhD student will be responsible for developing M3dX nanoparticles (where M3d = Ni, Fe, Mn and X = S, O) using polyol methods. Oxides (and/or sulphides, oxysulphides) of different structures (perovskite, spinel, etc.) will be synthesised. The physico-chemical properties (structure, composition, morphology) of the NPs will then be characterised. The magnetic properties will be studied in depth.
For the most promising materials, electrochemical tests using a self-designed air electrode under galvanostatic/galvanodynamic and SMF (static magnetic field activation process) conditions will be carried out as part of the ANR project led by our colleagues at Poitiers.

Contexte de travail

Created in 1995, the Bordeaux Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry (ICMCB) focuses its research on Solid State Chemistry, Materials Science and Chemistry and Process: designing, preparing, shaping and characterizing materials in order to discover, control and optimize specific functions. The ICMCB carries out fundamental research on model materials and/or materials with potential applications.
The ICMCB is a UMR with an average of 280 agents (permanent and non-permanent), with 3 tutelles, hosted by the CNRS and in total ZRR. The position is located in a sector covered by the Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PSTP), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that the arrival of the agent be authorized by the competent authority of MESR.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

The thesis will be carried out at the ICMCB, with 2-3 short stays (a fortnight each) during the 3 years of the thesis in Poitiers to carry out electrocatalytic tests (the costs will be covered by our laboratory).