Designing New Materials: We imagine and synthesize new electrode or electrolyte materials that can be used in electrochemical energy storage systems (batteries, microbatteries, supercapacitors …). We focus our research mainly on oxides, polyanionic and sulphide compounds which are synthesized as powders or thin films.
Understanding the intercalation and deintercalation mechanisms: We study the redox mechanisms and the structural changes linked to the intercalation / deintercalation of protons and lithium, sodium and potassium ions, by combining different analysis techniques available in our group and at ICMCB such as electrochemical cycling, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, solid state NMR spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy.
Develop and Use Efficient Analysis Methods: To push our investigations further, we develop or use, in collaboration with beamline scientists, in situ or operando characterization methods during battery operation on large scale facilities (synchrotrons or neutron sources). We also use NMR spectroscopy, coupled with theoretical calculations, used ex situ in order to characterize the local order existing within our materials as well as the presence of possible defects.