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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	EP/K002236/1
Title	Developing Electrochemical Structure-Function Relationships in Non-aqueous Electrolytes
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage) 100%;
Research Types	Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 50%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Professor CA Lucas No email address given Physics University of Liverpool
Award Type	Standard
Funding Source	EPSRC
Start Date	01 July 2012
End Date	31 December 2014
Duration	30 months
Total Grant Value	£59,764
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	North West
Programme	Energy : Physical Sciences
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Professor CA Lucas , Physics, University of Liverpool (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Dr L Hardwick , Chemistry, University of Liverpool (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Argonne National Laboratory, USA (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract	Discovering the fundamental principles that govern electrochemical reactivity is the key to the design of new materials for a range of scientific applications. Such information can only be obtained from model systems with well-defined elemental reaction sites using state-of-the-art instrumental probes. In this collaborative project we aim to extend the study of electrochemical reactions on model single crystal surfaces in non-aqueous electrolytes.Electrochemistry underpins many current energy applications and plays a crucial role in the development of new energy storage technologies. Advances in all the fields involved in electrochemically based energy technologies will be facilitated by strong synergies between scientific understanding and technological innovation and development. Advances in modern electrochemical surface science offer strong perspectives towards achieving these aims and are central to this application. Indeed detailed in situ characterisation of complex, reactive interfaces is a key area where the tools of electrochemical surface science can meet the challenges of developing technologies. This is particularly true in the case of the lithium-oxygen battery. A greater fundamental understanding of the oxygen cathode interface with respect to the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions is critical for significant advancement in this area.Electrochemical processes occur at heterogeneous interfaces within a condensed matter environment and are thus more difficult to examine than gas-solid interfaces. Due to the buried nature of the interface, it is inaccessible to most standard surface science techniques that employ strongly adsorbed electron probes to gain surface sensitivity. Study of the interface is restricted to techniques that employ penetrating radiation, such as x-ray and neutron scattering and optical spectroscopy, or imaging techniques, where the probe is brought in close proximity to the solid surface. Development of these relatively new techniques is providing the main methodological driving force for new investigations of the solid/liquid interface. This has been paralleled by the advancements made in synchrotron radiation, where a third generation of light sources is currently operational around the world. This proposal aims to strengthen the collaboration between scientists at the University of Liverpool and Argonne National Laboratory in the study of this complex interface. The collaboration will involve the sharing of equipment, materials and expertise and the training of PhD students in the use of state-of-the-art experimental equipment. It will also involve the use and development of synchrotron radiation techniques for probing the atomic structure at the interface between a solid electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	23/07/12