We aim to develop novel energy materials that are meaningful for the next generation electrical energy storage and conversion. We perform fundamental research on understanding how the interplays between surface chemistry and electrochemical potential direct the formation, transformation and stabilization of energy materials, and developing innovative approaches to synthesize materials with structure and property controlled across multiple length scale.We study the applications of these novel materials by assembling and testing various electrochemical devices particularly batteries and fuel cells. Some applications that we are currently interested in are high energy density rechargeable batteries and electrocatalysts that convert electricity into energy-dense liquid fuels.
Research Facilities
Electrochemical studies
MBraun LABstar dual user glove box, operated under ultra high pure argon atmosphere and used for electrolyte preparation, battery assembly and analysis
Neware battery analyzer with 5.0V and 1mA/10mA current ranges
Pine Bipotentiostat/Galvanostat (WaveDrive 20)
Pine electrode rotator (WaveVortex)
CH Instruments electrochemical workstation for electrochemical testing and analysis
Tenney TJR environmental chamber, capable of temperature control from -60°C to 170°C and used for battery testing at different temperatures
Hydraulic crimper for crimping coin cells inside glovebox
Hand crimper for crimping coin cells outside of glovebox, mainly used for aqueous batteries
Materials characterizations
Bruker MultiMode 8 Atomic Force Microscope. We also have liquid cells, heating stage, and Electrochemical cells that allow us to monitor in situ reactions
Thermo Trace GC-MS
Micromeritics Tristar surface area and porosity analyzer, and Micromeritics FlowPrep
Keithley SourceMeter and Lucas Labs resistivity testing stand equipped with a four probe head, used to study electric conductivity of energy materials
Metler-Toledo conductivity and pH meter
TBA
Materials synthesis and processing
Lindberg/Blue tube furnace for material synthesis and processing under controlled temperature and atmosphere
Brooks mass flowmeter and readout, combined with the tube furnace to provide accurate control of gas flow
Vulcan 3-550 box furnace, for hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, also used for calcination of materials in air
SPEX SamplePrep 8000M Mixer/Mill for high energy ball milling, for material synthesis and modification. We have three grinding jars (SPEX 8001, 8005 and 8009) for different purposes
single pass rolling mill to prepare and calender electrodes
