Research Projects

As the need for efficient energy storage solutions grows, the search for economically and environmentally friendly alternatives beyond lithium-ion batteries is underway despite the wealth of works in this field. In this research, it is vital to find systems of electrode materials that are structurally stable in electrolytes and offer optimal discharge capabilities. It is also vital to explore the underlying physical mechanism behind the responsible phenomena. In this respect, layered oxyhalide materials are a prospective candidate as cathode material in the state of the art research on energy storage science. This project proposal will explore the transition metal-based oxyhalide materials as a potential candidate for next-generation rechargeable batteries. We will investigate the influence of the underlying magnetic order on the crystallographic and electronic structure employing investigating experimentally different physical properties. The ever-increasing need for efficient energy storage materials is driving the search for economical and environmentally friendly options beyond lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, it is a crucial task to find out a suitable electrode material. For the cathode, some promising candidates have been already proposed among metal oxychlorides, such as BiOCl, FeOCl, VOCl. In order to take full advantage of their electrochemical and structural properties, it is essential to understand the electronic and magnetic properties, which are still to be explored in detail. Experimental design of promising oxyhalide compounds is then eagerly needed. On the other hand, intercalation of alkali cations are a growing interest in this field, and for successful intercalation, the host material should maintain their stable structural properties. Hence, it is also pertinent to study the effect of intercalation in the host materials. Therefore, it is proposed in this project to investigate two families of transition metal-based oxyhalides (MOX and MOX2: M = transition metal and X = halides) and the effect of intercalation in these layered materials with different alkali cations from the experimental point of view. The oxyhalide samples will be synthesized in polycrystalline as well as single crystalline form. The materials will be characterized carefully. Then their transport and magnetic properties will be studied in detail on the samples without and with intercalation. The local structure and the microscopic magnetic properties will also be probed. Therefore this proposal will primarily focus on the fundamental understanding of the potential candidates of the cathode materials in energy storage applications. However, this project will finally lead to finding a new route for efficiently selecting cathode material and technique. If this project becomes successful, finding an appropriate cathode material in an oxyhalide compound with significant energy storage capacity will open up a new door of technological applications.