Description of the thesis topic

The PhD candidate will aim to elucidate the charge storage mechanisms in MnO₂-based micro-supercapacitors when coupled with ionic liquid-based electrolytes (Na-based and related systems). The work will focus on distinguishing and quantifying pseudocapacitive and double-layer contributions, particularly within an extended voltage window beyond 2 V, in order to identify the conditions enabling high energy density without degradation of the active material.
To this end, the candidate will:
- synthesize and optimize porous Ni/MnO₂ electrodes at LAAS, tailored for operation with ionic liquids,
- evaluate on these electrodes innovative electrolytes developed by PolyMAT (stability, potential window, capacitance, cyclability),
- perform, in collaboration with ICMAB, advanced in situ/operando electrochemical and spectroscopic characterizations to correlate local structure, Mn oxidation states and charge storage mechanisms in these ionic environments.
The expected outcomes will directly contribute to the design of low-cost, high-voltage MnO₂-based micro-supercapacitors within the framework of the project.

Work Context

The PhD is part of the Franco-Spanish interregional project TRANS-CAP, dedicated to the development of high-voltage MnO₂-based micro-supercapacitors, involving:
- LAAS-CNRS (Toulouse, France) – A leading laboratory in micro/nanotechnologies and electrochemical energy storage, and coordinator of the project. The PhD candidate will be based at LAAS within the MRS (Reactive Materials and Energy Storage) team, with access to cleanroom microfabrication facilities and advanced physico-chemical and electrochemical characterization platforms.
- PolyMAT (University of the Basque Country, Spain) – Partner in charge of the development of Na-based ionic liquids and ionogels. The candidate will test these electrolytes at LAAS on locally developed electrodes and will carry out research stays at PolyMAT to optimize their integration with MnO₂-based systems.
- ICMAB-CSIC (Barcelona, Spain) – Specialist in advanced characterization and in situ/operando analyses (XPS/HAXPES, XAS, EXAFS, etc.). The candidate will undertake research visits to ICMAB to perform structural and spectroscopic studies on Ni/MnO₂ electrodes in the presence of ionic liquids.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

The PhD candidate will perform experiments in cleanroom and laboratory environments (microfabrication, thin-film deposition, electrochemical testing), involving the supervised handling of chemicals and ionic liquid-based electrolytes, as well as characterizations using X-ray techniques. These activities require strict compliance with health and safety regulations and ease in an experimental environment. Occasional travel to partner institutions in Spain is expected.