Possessing vastly greater abundance and competitive electrochemical metrics, green magnesium can alleviate the reliance on lithium in the rechargeable battery market, particularly as an expanding global population means demand is increasing massively, whilst mitigating climate change. The challenge is magnesium has yet to fulfil this potential, with lack of suitable electrolytes a main impediment. This project will pair Mg with stable, non-interacting organoanions to deliver safe, cheap materials with high solubility, conductivity and high-voltage capability for reversible plating and stripping. The student will design and implement high-yielding and atom-efficient synthetic strategies to access target electrolytes, followed by appropriate characterisation of them, all within a leading synthetic group in the Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry. Electrochemical testing will be carried out in collaboration with the Brightman Group in the Department of Chemical & Process Engineering as part of an ongoing and successful battery collaboration. This project is ideally suited if you are interested in renewable energy and battery technology and will provide you with a diverse skill set preparing you for a career in an exciting sector.

Further information

All researchers will also receive £2,000 per year to support training and consumables, alongside access to a bespoke Faraday Institution PhD Training Programme valued at approximately £5,000 per year. Recipients benefit from a wide range of development opportunities, including networking events, industry visits, mentorship, and internships, as well as high-quality training experiences designed to further develop their knowledge, skills, and career aspirations. Details of previous training programmes can be found on the Faraday Institution website.