Research
Novel electroactive materials
Redox chemistry provides the fundamental basis for numerous devices, among which Li-ion batteries have become the premier technology for mobile application and transportation while green hydrogen produced using water electrolyzers is now considered for decarbonizing the industrial sector. Recently, we have demonstrating that novel materials thus far considered too unstable can be designed for electrochemical applications. A first example聽is the utilization of superconcentrated electrolytes to unlock reversible Li+聽intercalation into transition metal halides,聽opening up a new family or intercalation or conversion compounds with tunable properties. A second example聽is the control of a novel oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reactions relying on the reversible exchange of hydrated cations into transition metal oxides catalysts, simultaneously enhancing the OER kinetics while avoiding detrimental surface degradation.聽
- Pandya聽et al. , Nature Nanotechnology, 2023.
- Dubouis, Marchandier,聽et al.聽,聽Nature Materials,聽2021.
- Yang,聽et al.聽,聽Nature Communications, 2020.聽
- Zhang,聽et al.聽,聽Chemistry of Materials, 2020.聽
Physical chemistry of liquid electrolytes
Liquid electrolytes are at the heart of many electrochemical devices. By variation of their compositions, reactivity can be modulated. We develop strategies to control their reactivity at electrochemical interfaces. For instance, confinement of water inside organic matrix leads to the growth of aqueous heterogeneities which size and dynamics control the reactivity of water at interfaces which can be exploited for modulating the yield and selectivity of electrochemical synthesis paths. Furthermore, by varying salt concentration, delicate equilibrium at electrode/electrolyte interface can be controlled, ensuring stability of novel electroactive materials thus far considered as unstable. Our work encompasses the development of novel aqueous biphasic systems, mastering the physical and chemical attributes of liquid/liquid interfaces to direct ions transfer for recycling of transition metals, for instance.
- Degoulange聽et al. , Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 2023.
- Dorchies聽et al.聽Fine tuning of electrosynthesis pathways by modulation of the electrolyte solvation structure, Chemical Science, 2023.聽
- Dorchies聽et al.聽, JACS, 2022.
- Dubouis聽et al.聽,聽Nature Catalysis, 2020.聽
Electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices
These principles are applied and implemented聽 into practical devices, with emphasis paid on defining and improving the true performances metrics of devices such as Li-ion batteries or (water) electrolyzers. Electrochemical measurements under realistic conditions (loadings, temperature, stress tests) are performed and strategies to alleviate instabilities at the electrochemical interfaces are developed.
- Dubouis聽et al.聽Alkaline electrolyzers: , Joule, 2024.
- Meunier聽et al. , Joule, 2023.
- Lagadec,聽et al.聽,聽Nature Materials, 2020.聽
- Droguet,聽et al.聽,聽Advanced Energy Materials, 2020.聽