UNESCO Code: 230399, 221005, 221028,331208
Keywords:
Inorganic Materials, Synthesis, Structural Characterisation, Electrochemical Characterisation, Lithium and Sodium Ion Battery Materials, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Materials
Relevant characteristics of the research group (description of the group's activity):
The research work focuses on the synthesis of inorganic materials for either metal ion batteries (Me-ionB) or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Besides the synthesis of new materials, we investigate their structure by means of X-ray diffraction (conventional and synchrotron) and neutron diffraction. When needed “in operando” techniques are used in the case of battery materials. Structural characterization is one of the expertise of the research team that have been widely used to investigate structural changes under working conditions of both types of devices (Me-ion and SOFC). The group collaborate with many laboratories in Spain and worldwide (Universidad Complutense, Universidad Carlos III, CSIC, Illinois University, Universidad de Saltillo, Indian Institute of Science, ESRF, Technical University of Munich, Bialystok University, etc.).
Recently we have carried out a comprehensive investigation of several titanates that showed good performances as anodes for lithium ion or sodium ion batteries as for example TiO2 hollandite, TiO2 rasmdellite or A2Ti6O13 with A=Na, Li or H) including the prototyping of 0.7 Ah batteries based on the ramsdellite Li2Ti3O7. With respect to cathodes the research team was pioneer in describing the interesting performances of fluorides and in the present period we are focusing in oxyfluorides as for example VO2F.
Prospective materials as solid oxide fuel cells cathodes are double perovskites. By proper aliovalent substitution we have been able to tune both electrical and electrochemical properties. These properties have been related to compositional and structural effects based on a deep insight to the defect chemistry. Outstanding examples of materials that can compete with state of the art LSM regarding the surface resistance area (ASR) are Sr2CoNb1-xTixO6-δ or La2-xCoTiO6-δ.
Additional Information
Contact: [email protected]