DrWesley Dose

Current Research Projects

• Advanced materials for sodium-ion batteries
• New electrolytes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries

We are always looking for applicants with a strong background in materials chemistry and an interest in battery research/characterisation. Please contact Dr Dose (wesley.dose@sydney.edu.au) to learn more about opportunities available.

Project Opportunities

Research projects in the Dose Lab focus on emerging energy storage materials for use in batteries, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and other ‘beyond’ lithium-ion chemistries.

Project Title: Electrodes and electrolytes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries: understanding mechanisms and degradation

Summary of opportunity:

This project will explore new materials for next-generation Li-ion batteries with a focus on understanding the reaction mechanisms and degradation pathways.

Opportunity synopsis:

Electrochemical energy storage is a key technology in the pursuit of net zero emissions and to mitigate climate change. Li-ion batteries are currently the leading storage chemistry across many sectors, such as for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale storage. However, basic research is still required to improve the lifetime, performance, and safety of Li-ion batteries.

Our recent findings have revealed that conventional Li-ion battery electrolytes are incompatible with the most promising next-generation electrode materials. New electrolyte solutions are needed to meet this challenge.

With a focus on high-energy positive electrode materials with low- or no cobalt (alleviating environmental and societal concerns), this project will explore electrolyte solutions from several novel classes of electrolytes.

The aims of the project will be to (1) explore the interfacial reactivity at the electrolyte-electrode interface, (2) understand the key modes of degradation, and (3) develop novel materials-based solutions that facilitate improved long-term performance and overall battery safety.

The candidate will have access to a variety of characterisation techniques, including electrochemical methods (potentiometry, EIS, GITT), X-ray techniques (XRD, XAS, XPS), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and DEMS/OEMS.

Project Title: Electrodes and electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries: understanding mechanisms and degradation

Summary of opportunity:

This project will study the interfacial and bulk properties of electrodes and electrolytes for Na-ion batteries with a focus on understanding the reaction mechanisms and degradation pathways.

Opportunity synopsis:

Electrochemical energy storage is playing a pivotal role in the global pursuit of a clean and sustainable energy future. Concerns about the future cost of critical metals used in Li-ion batteries, due to increasing demand, are driving battery research into new chemistries ‘beyond’ Li-ion.

Na-ion batteries are attracting significant attention because of the relative abundance of raw materials, their environmental-friendliness, safety, and low price. However, the storage capacity and long-term performance of Na-ion batteries are currently limited by the properties and performance of the positive electrode and adverse interfacial reactions at both electrodes.

This project will explore how the positive electrode properties (composition, surface coatings, dopants) and the electrolyte solution properties (composition, solvents, salts, additives) can be tuned to improve the lifetime, performance, and safety of Na-ion batteries.

The aims of the project will be to (1) understand the (de)sodiation mechanisms of electrode materials, (2) explore the interfacial reactivity at the electrolyte-electrode interface, (2) understand the key modes of degradation, and (3) develop novel materials-based solutions that facilitate improved long-term performance and overall battery safety.

The candidate will have access to a variety of characterisation techniques, including electrochemical methods (potentiometry, EIS, GITT), X-ray techniques (XRD, XAS, XPS), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and DEMS/OEMS.