Project
Ion dynamics and local structure in nanocrystalline Li insertion compounds

Prof. Dr. Paul Heitjans
Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry
University of Hannover, Germany

Solids with a framework structure, into which mobile ions like Li can be inserted, are very interesting both for basic research, e.g., concerning structure – mobility – relationships, and for potential applications, e.g., in the field of Li ion batteries.

In the planned doctoral thesis work, Li insertion compounds are to be studied with respect to the dynamics and kinetics of the Li ions as well as to the local structure by modern techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This also includes to study the influence of the crystallite size, down to the nanometer range, and of the material morphology on diffusivity.

Other important methods besides NMR, which are available at the Institute for Physical Chemistry and which are to be learnt and applied by the candidate, are impedance spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy.