Phd in Understanding New Multi-metal Anode Batteries Via Synchrotron Based Operando Measurements

**Reference**

2024-264

**Deadline**

21/07/2025

**Division**

Experiments
- Institution

ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating ten beamlines, complementary facilities, and an Electron Microscopy Center, this last in partnership with other institutions. Currently constructing multiple more beamlines, expanding the Electron Microscopy Center, and integrating advanced data analytics, it sums up a wide range of infrastructures geared toward finding solutions to societal challenges.

Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Recerca i Universitats). The synchrotron light produced by 3 GeV electrons is used by thousands of researchers to analyse and understand the properties and functionality of matter, spanning a wide variety of fields, such as catalytic research, health, energy production/storage, environmental research, communication technologies, or cultural heritage.

Our highly motivated staff works in a multidisciplinary work environment with an atmosphere formed by lived diversity, inclusion and respect for our colleagues. Located close to Barcelona in a natural park and well connected by car and public transportation, with excellent connectivity to the world and an employer who understands the importance of life-work balance.

Facing an upgrade to ALBA II, a 4th generation facility, which will increase dramatically brightness and coherent flux, ALBA is in a phase of growth and dynamics. Being a part of the ALBA team will promote your career and will give you the opportunities to explore new territories.

The scientific context of this PhD project is related to the safe use of metal anodes in next-generation batteries, with the focus on achieving smooth and uniform metal electrodeposition mitigating the formation of dendrites.

Metal anodes are highly attractive for rechargeable batteries due to their high specific capacity and high density compared to insertion anodes like graphite. However, the metal stripping and plating process inherent to metal anodes often lead to the nucleation and growth of metal dendrites. The growth of metal dendrites presents several challenges, including reduced Coulombic efficiency and safety hazards.

To address the dendrite growth issue, the project will introduce new electrolyte additive strategies aiming at altering the thermodynamics of metal plating and stripping and mitigating dendrite formation. The electrolytes will be developed in the framework of an ERC consolidator project (MULTIMETALBAT).

The hired student will develop a new operando synchrotron based FTIR (SR-FTIR) setup to characterize the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth and behaviour during cycling. This setup will enable insights into SEI composition and stability, critical for long-term battery performance. Additionally, operando SR-XRD measurements will provide valuable information on electrodeposition mechanisms, enhancing our understanding of metal anode reversibility. These insights will be correlated with electrochemical performance, such as plating/stripping reversibility.

The planned work will take place in the framework of a collaboration between ALBA (in particular MIRAS and MSPD beamlines) and ICMAB institute.

For more information, you can take a look on our history watching this video:

- Tasks

Your tasks will be:

- Adapt currently available operando setup at MIRAS and MSPD beamlines for SEI and metal anode characterization.
- Perform operando SR-FTIR measurements to understand the SEI formation / composition/ stability
- Perform operando SR-XRD measurements to understand the nucleation and growth mechanisms of metal anode.

To successfully develop your tasks, you will work with a team of ALBA and ICMAB experts as external collaborators to achieve the goals. You will be able to share your work on internal meetings related to the MULTIMETALBAT project as well as attend national and international conferences. The environment near ALBA also enriches the PhD experience, with potent research centres at UAB campus to strengthen the acquired knowledge. Importantly, you are encouraged to use in your research other ALBA instruments such as other beamlines.
- Requirements

Applications that do not present the aforementioned or required documentation during the selection procedure will not be accepted.
- Hold a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Chemistry, Physics (optics) or related disciplines.
- Previous internship in a laboratory of the field using operando Electrochemistry, infrared spectroscopy and/or x-ray powder diffraction techniques.
- C1 level of English of both written and spoken is a must. The working language at ALBA and ICMAB is English.
- Selection Process Development

The selection will be carried out through the competition-opposition system.

As a first phase, an ana