Electrodeposition of Prussian-Blue analogs (PBA) as cathodes in formable batteries

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have emerged as an exciting class of materials that scientists want to use as a high voltage battery material. PBAs have the general formula AxM[Fe(CN)6]y which can reversibly store mobile cations like Li+, Na+ and K+. 
 
Good electrode design is essential for diverse applications, such as renewable energy, sensing, transportation, portable electronics, and automation. However today, our available solutions suffer from a range of issues that PBAs could solve. They offer high capacities, excellent rate capability and high discharge potentials. Depending on the choice of the chemical content and the way to synthesize the films, the chemistry of PBAs can be tuned to maximize their performance for a certain application, e.g. by increasing their energy density. Beyond its use as a storage electrode, this up-and-coming material also shows great promise for various other applications, including ion detection and thermometry, thanks to its complex electrochemical behaviour.
 
PBAs are typically synthesized via a precipitation method. This results in powders with a large number of vacancies and interference from solvent molecules in the structure, giving low capacity, high overpotential and meagre stability. An alternative route is to electrodeposit PBAs, where their precipitation can be triggered electrochemically on the surface of the electrodes. This very novel synthesis route has been studied only recently, and much is still to be discovered. For example, adhesion of the films to their substrate remains a challenge, especially for thicker or denser films. Other challenges include tuning the composition, charge capacity and stability of the films, and furthering our understanding of their complex electrochemistry. 
 
In this thesis, you will explore the electrodeposition of PBA, building on the knowhow that our research group has been building in recent years. You will understand their electrochemical behaviour for the purpose of various novel applications, and ensure their long-term functionality with regards to its possible applications. We will work towards novel insights about this exciting new material and have an impact on energy storage, sensing, and electronics.

Type of Project: Thesis 

Master's degree: Master of Bioengineering 

Supervisor: Philippe Vereecken (Bioscience, Nano) 

For more information or application, please contact the supervising scientists Sai Gourang Patnaik (Sai.Gourang.Patnaik@imec.be) and Philippe Vereecken (Philippe.Vereecken@imec.be).