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Rechargeable lithium ion batteries

These batteries have revolutionised portable electronic devices and have become the dominant power source for mobile phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and videos, because of their improved energy density compared to conventional rechargeable batteries. However, the charge/discharge process in rechargeable lithium ion batteries at a high current rate can cause a high level of polarisation for bulk materials and degrade the electrochemical properties of the batteries.

Development of next generation lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles and smart grids demands high energy/power which can operate under high current conditions. It is crucial, therefore, to develop new materials or technologies to improve the electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium ion batteries with higher energy/power density.

CCET is developing high performance electrodes materials (both cathode and anode) by rationally designing the composition, microstructure and morphology of active materials for lithium ion batteries.

Lithium-air (oxygen) batteries

The lithium-air (oxygen) batteries have been considered as promising advanced energy storage systems to meet today’s stringent requirements as the power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) due to their extremely high energy density. However, the development of lithium-air batteries is still constrained by several serious challenges, including low energy efficiency and poor cycling life.

We addressed these challenges by applying various nanostructured materials and redox mediators as cathode catalysts in lithium-air batteries. Furthermore, methods are being formalised to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium metal anodes, including the design of three-dimensional current collectors and the development of stable solid state interphases on lithium metal anodes.

Sodium-ion/sodium-metal batteries

The sodium-based battery technology has risen as a promising alternative to lithium batteries owing to a much lower cost of sodium metal (AUD $ ~6 per kg), abundant resources all around the world and promising energy density. There has been tremendous research progress in sodium-based battery technology in the past decade that has resulted in high expectations for the commercialisation of sodium-based battery technology in the near future.

Our research has contributed to the optimisation of anode, cathode and electrolytes and we are currently focusing on material optimisation for electrodes and electrolyte as well developing prototypes for translation of lab-scale discoveries to industrial scale.

Lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium sulfur batteries have shown great promise due to very high energy densities in comparison to traditional lithium ion batteries. However, application of lithium-sulfur batteries is severely affected by loss of activity due to sulfur dissolution into the electrolyte that results in poor columbic efficiency and cyclic life.

We are focusing on proposing solutions for stable cycling of lithium-sulfur batteries by proposing innovations in host design for sulfur as well as modifying the electrolyte chemistries.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials

These crystalline nanomaterials materials consisting of single- or few-layer atoms, have attracted worldwide attention due to their unique and remarkable physical and chemical properties.

Our group focuses on tailored synthesis and modification of novel functional 2D materials, including graphene, MXene, transition metal sulfides, metal oxides, phosphorene, etc., as well as fabrication of their heterostructures for rechargeable batteries, electrochemical catalysis, capacitors, capacitive deionisation and other applications.

Electrochemical and photochemical catalysts

The catalysts can accelerate chemical reactions more efficiently, and have been widely investigated in the field of energy storage and conversion. Our work focuses on the design of nanostructured electrochemical and photochemical catalysts with multifunctionalities and well-controlled components especially single atom catalysts for various catalytic applications such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction and carbon dioxide reduction reactions.

Hydrogen Production and Storage

Hydrogen has been considered a promising energy source which has wide abundant resource in the form of water. Our work focuses on the development of energy efficient methodologies to produce hydrogen at low cost. We also extend our work to propose solutions for efficient storage of hydrogen in modified materials.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

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