UCL · Electrochemical Innovation Lab collaboration · PhD · Sep 2023 – present
Thin-film solid-state electrolytes for beyond-lithium batteries
Developing amorphous potassium- and sodium-based thin-film solid-state electrolytes for next-generation energy storage.
- Solution processing
- EIS
- Coin cells
- GI-XRD
- XPS
- ToF-ERDA
The project
My PhD is experimental materials science research, conducted in collaboration with the UCL Electrochemical Innovation Lab, on thin-film solid-state electrolytes for beyond-lithium battery technologies — including a solution-processed amorphous K–Al–P–O thin-film electrolyte for potassium-metal batteries.
Approach
I use solution-based processing and low-temperature treatment approaches to optimise electrolyte properties, and fabricate coin cells to evaluate electrochemical performance and stability.
Characterisation
Ionic and electronic conductivity are evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Materials are characterised using GI-XRD, SEM, AFM, XPS and ToF-ERDA.
Additional battery research
From March 2024 to May 2025 I synthesised and characterised layered Na–Mn–Fe transition-metal oxide cathode materials using solution-based synthesis, XRD, SEM and TEM; performed ALD powder coating followed by solvent-based electrode fabrication and cell assembly; and evaluated performance using galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling. In 2025 I also supported synchrotron beamtime at Diamond Light Source, assisting with XAFS measurements of cathode powders.
Sharing the work
I delivered an oral presentation on potassium-based thin-film solid-state electrolytes at the Materials Research Society (MRS) Conference in Boston (December 2025), and presented a scientific poster at the Faraday Institution Conference (September 2025).