Maria Forsyth

• Chair at Deakin University

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are an emerging next‐generation technology for sustainable energy storage. In this study, the synthesis and performance of carbon anode materials for SIBs, produced via direct co‐carbonisation of textile waste‐derived hard carbon (HC) and pitch‐derived soft carbon (SC) at various ratios, were investigated. It was found t...

Extreme fast charging (XFC, i.e., 80% state of charge within 15 min, 4C rate) remains a high‐desirability criterion for next‐generation lithium batteries. While the anodes, such as, graphite and lithium are historically acknowledged as the critical hurdles toward XFC of Li‐ion batteries, the stability of cathodes under such sustained high rate cycl...

The incorporation of high salt concentrations in ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes, forming superconcentrated ionic liquids, has been shown to improve Li-ion transference numbers and enhance cycling stability against lithium metal...

Lithium-ion batteries are a promising technology to promote the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles. Increasing efforts are focused on improving their energy density and safety by replacing current materials with more efficient and safer alternatives. In this context, binary composites of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and lithium salts show...

We report on the physiochemical behaviour of membranes based on three different polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐polystyrene (PS‐b‐PEO‐b‐PS) block copolymers and an ionic liquid (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIMTFSI)) and their use as solid‐state electrolytes in supercapacitors. The nanostructured block copoly...

Poly(ethylene oxide)—(PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are regarded as excellent candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) due to their inherent safety advantages, processability, low cost, and excellent Li+ ion solvation. However, they suffer from limited oxidation stability (up to 4 V vs Li⁺/Li). In this study, a cros...

It is well known that the nature of the cations and anions used to make ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes can have a significant impact on their chemical and physical properties and on their performance in devices, for example when used in lithium or sodium batteries. The same is true for organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs); these salts are structu...

Silicon has an extremely high theoretical capacity (3,579 mAh/g for Si ⇄ Li 15 Si 4 ), which is almost 10-fold greater than that of a commercialized anode active material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), i.e. , graphite (371.9 mAh/g for C ⇄ Li 6 C). Therefore, the successful use of silicon is required for “beyond” LIBs to offer drastically higher e...

Due to the great source of raw materials, sodium-based batteries are emerging as a competitive technology in the field of energy storage to supplement the rising need for higher energy densities and storage capacities, currently sustained primarily by the well-established lithium-ion technology. Current sodium-based batteries share with lithium-ion...

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have emerged as promising candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to their inherent safety advantages and potential to facilitate high energy density devices [1]. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been the most prominent representative polymer host in SPEs since 1970s because of their excellent a...

To address the ever-growing demands for battery-driven electrification, successful solid-state batteries (SSBs) are expected to deliver a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). One of the drastic pathways to realize this is utilizing a high-capacity anode active material such as silicon and lithium metal. In particular, silicon el...

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are one of the next-generation batteries that are expected to overcome some limitations ( e.g. , inherent safety issues) of current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The key components of SSBs are solid electrolytes that are generally more stable against temperature rise than conventional flammable liquid electrolyte soluti...

Differential capacitance measurements are known to provide vital information regarding electrical double layer charging as well as interfacial structuring of ionic liquids and ionic liquid-based electrolytes. Several hurdles have prevented these types of measurements from becoming widely used, including the fact that there exists no real consensus...

Solid electrolyte composites between organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and polymers can potentially show enhanced mechanical properties and ion conduction. These properties can be determined by the formation of interfacial regions which affect the structure, thermal properties, and ion transport of the composite material. Here we studied the p...

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are among the most promising materials for solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to their inherent safety advantages; however, they suffer from insufficient room-temperature ionic conductivity (up to 10–6 S cm–1) and limited oxidation stability (<4 V). In this study, a nove...

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as corrosion inhibitors is gaining significant attention due to their attractive properties such as high inhibition efficiency and ability to absorb onto metal surfaces. In this work, six protic ILs, based on the coumarate anion in combination with the nitrogen containing ammonium, pyrrolidinium and imidazolium cation...

A successful transition to low-carbon future requires efficient and sustainable carbon-free technologies like lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for electrochemical energy storage devices. Reversible lithium ion storage capacity coupled with low electrode potential has made graphite the state-of-the-art anode for commercial LIBs 1. The intercalation of l...

PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are regarded as excellent candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to their inherent safety advantages, processability, low cost and excellent Li ion solvation. However, they suffer from limited oxidation stability (up to 4 V vs. Li+/Li). In this study, a newly designed crosslinked po...

Lithium-ion batteries are a promising technology to promote the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles. Increasing efforts are focused on improving their energy density and safety by replacing current materials with more efficient and safer alternatives. In this context, binary composites of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and lithium salts show...

The search for safer next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) has driven significant research on non‐toxic, non‐flammable solid electrolytes. However, their electrochemical performance often falls short. This work presents a simple, one‐step photopolymerization process for synthesizing biphasic liquid–solid ionogel electrolytes using acrylic ac...

This study explores the influence of mixed-cation ionic liquid (IL)-NaFSI based electrolyte systems on their physicochemical and electrochemical properties. Utilising two ionic liquids with distinct cation chemistries, (trimethyl isobutyl phosphonium) P111i4⁺ and (N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium) C3mpyr⁺, combined in various ratios with either a con...

Nowadays, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in all walks of life and play a very important role. As complex systems composed of multiple materials with diverse chemical compositions, where different electrochemical reactions take place, battery interfaces are essential for determining the operation, performance, durability and safety of...

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are one of the most promising materials for solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to their inherent safety advantages, however, they suffer from insufficient room temperature ionic conductivity (up to 10−6 S cm−1) and limited oxidation stability (< 4V). In this study, a nov...

Ionic liquids and their crystalline phases (organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC)) represent two types of liquid and solid electrolytes that have attracted great interest in recent years to develop the next generation of batteries. In this chapter, we will showcase how to combine molecular simulations with different experimental techniques to unders...

A range of techniques for the coating of high purity alumina (HPA) on porous polypropylene battery separators has been investigated. A slurry was prepared by dispersion of the alumina powder in acetone solvent and poly (vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF‐HFP) as the binder to obtain an excellent adhesion to the membrane. Doctor blade...

Current cathode electrode processing of lithium-ion batteries relies on the conventional use of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a binder, accompanied by the toxic solvent N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Within cathode materials, the LiNixMn1−x−yCoyO2 (NMC) families stand out as most promising candidates for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries...

Sol–gel based coatings are used to protect metals from corrosion. They offer a barrier to the electrolyte penetration, but they do not provide active corrosion protection. Therefore, corrosion inhibitors are often added to sol–gel formulations to improve the overall corrosion behavior. Sol–gel-based coatings typically require relatively high temper...

Polymer-in-salt electrolytes offer a promising solution to the critical challenge of low Li-ion conductivity in solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes. One crucial aspect of their development is maintaining good stability and high conductivity of molten salts within a polymer system. Remarkably, cationic poly(ionic liquids) (polyIL) have emerged a...

Quasi-block copolymer electrolytes offer an ideal block morphology for ion transport in next-generation solid-state electrolytes.

High power application of Li‐battery remains a challenge due to the lack of stable fast‐charging cathode materials. Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) cathode is very promising due to its high operating voltage and fast charging ability; however, the associated Mn‐dissolution is one of the main hindrances to its practical applicability. In this work, we...

The mitigation of corrosion, especially in coastal regions, stands as a significant social concern necessitating the exploration of environmentally friendly materials. This study introduces phenol-based ionic polymers as both coatings and solution corrosion inhibitors for mild steel. Three methacrylated phenolic deep eutectic monomers (DEMs) bearin...

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the technology of choice for many applications from portable electronics to electric vehicles and energy storage. Reversible lithium ion storage capacity coupled with low electrode potential has made graphite the state-of-the-art anode for commercial LIBs. Intercalation of lithium ions into the graphite electrodes f...

Metal–air batteries are an emerging technology with great potential to satisfy the demand for energy in high-consumption applications. However, this technology is still in an early stage, facing significant challenges such as a low cycle life that currently limits its practical use. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conducting polymer has al...

To protect carbon steel from degradation via corrosion, it is usually coated using a multilayer system of paints composed of petroleum-based polymers. The chemical industry is currently moving towards more sustainable chemistry, in which one of the main objectives is to reduce fossil fuel use and the derived raw materials. However, the replacement...

Block copolymers (BCPs) as solid electrolytes for batteries are usually designed to have an ion-solvating block for ion conduction and an ionophobic block for providing mechanical strength. Here, we show a novel solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for sodium batteries based on a poly(vinyl benzoate)-b-poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium bis(trifluoromethanes...

The binary composites of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and lithium salts are a promising new class of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). One of the primary areas of research to enable their application into battery devices is to understand their complex physicochemical features, in particular their phase behaviors in...

Silicon is one of the highest-capacity anode active materials and, therefore, its use in solid-state batteries (SSBs) is expected to provide both high energy density and safety. Although the creation of solid-state Si electrodes via a scalable method is important from the perspective of battery production, its effect on electrochemical performance...

Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are promising materials for the development of solid-state electrolytes for next-generation energy storage devices with improved safety. Zwitterionic plastic crystals, in which the cationic and anionic groups are covalently bound, are a promising alternative to traditional OIPC-based electrolytes as they offer...

Emerging battery technologies such as solid-state sodium batteries can benefit from new polymer electrolytes with improved sodium ion transport to optimise electrochemical performance. In this work, we propose, for the first time, the use of polyelectrolyte blends utilising a dual cation approach with a common polyanion backbone, poly(1-[3-(methacr...

Solid polymer electrolytes that combine both a high lithium-ion transference number and mechanical properties at high temperatures are searched for improving the performance of batteries. Here, we show a salt-free all-polymer nanocomposite solid electrolyte for lithium metal batteries that improves the mechanical properties and shows a high lithium...

New material solutions are searched for the manufacturing and safety of current batteries. Herein, an extrusion printable polymer separator for lithium batteries based on single‐ion polymer electrolytes is presented. The polymer electrolytes are based on methacrylic polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with a lithium sulfonamide group combi...

The increasing demands for sustainable energy storage technologies have prompted extensive research in the development of eco-friendly materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This research article presents the design of biobased latexes, which are fluorine-free and rely on renewable resources, based on isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) and 2-octyl...

The binary composites of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and lithium salts are a promising new class of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). One of the primary areas of research to enable their application into battery devices is to understand their complex physicochemical features, in particular their phase behaviors in...

Hard carbon with different microstructures and physicochemical properties can be obtained based on the precursor used, and these properties have a direct impact on the electrochemical performance. Herein, two different precursors from a single source of waste cotton textiles have been prepared to be either cotton snippets retaining the original fib...

Increased structural disorder was observed in the composites through DSC and only a slight improvement of ion conductivity was observed in the composite with 10 v% of polymer nanoparticles with respect to the neat OIPC.

Proton exchange membranes (PEM) are s key component in electrolyzers and fuel cells for green hydrogen technologies. One important coming issue in these technologies is the need of reducing the...

In this work, we investigate the development of polymer electrolytes for sodium batteries based on sulfonamide functional polymer nanoparticles (NaNPs). The synthesis of the polymer NaNPs is carried out by...

Extreme fast charging (XFC, i.e., achieving at least 80% state of charge within 15 minutes) remains as a high-desirability criterion for next-generation lithium batteries. While the anodes, e.g., graphite and lithium, have been historically acknowledged as critical hurdles for fast-charging batteries, the stability of the cathodes under sustained h...

Membrane‐based gas separation technologies are one solution towards mitigating global emissions of CO2. New membrane materials with improved separation performance are still highly sought after. Composite membranes based on organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) have shown preferential interaction for CO2 over N2, leading in some cases to competiti...

High power application of Li battery remains a challenge due to the lack of suitable cathode materials that are stable at high current rates. Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4 or LMO) spinel cathode is very promising due to its high operating voltage as well as fast charging ability, however, the associated Mn dissolution is one of the main hindranc...

Extreme fast charging (XFC, i.e., achieving at least 80% state of charge within 15 minutes) and high current rate cycling remain high desirability criteria for next-generation lithium batteries. While anodes, e.g., graphite and lithium, have been historically acknowledged as the critical hurdles for fast- charging batteries, the stability of cathod...

Hybrid solid electrolytes (HSEs), namely mixtures of polymer and inorganic electrolytes, have supposedly improved properties with respect to inorganic and polymer electrolytes. In practice, HSEs often show ionic conductivity below expectations, as the high interface resistance limits the contribution of inorganic electrolyte particles to the charge...

High-voltage sodium batteries are an appealing solution for economical energy storage applications. Currently available electrolyte materials have seen limited success in such applications therefore the identification of high-performing and safer alternatives is urgently required. Herein we synthesise six novel ionic liquids derived from two fluoro...

Sodium-air batteries (SABs) are receiving considerable attention for the development of next generation battery alternatives due to their high theoretical energy density (up to 1105 W h kg-1). However, most of the studies on this technology are still based on organic solvents; in particular, diglyme, which is highly flammable and toxic for the unbo...

This work demonstrates an approach towards the understanding of multi-scale and open-circuit localised electrochemical processes of AA2024-T3 in the presence and absence of an environmentally friendly rare-earth inhibitor; cerium diphenyl phosphate (Ce(dpp)3). At high temporal resolution, a wire bean electrode (WBE) made from 100 identical AA2024-T...

The use of water‐soluble binders enables the transition to more sustainable batteries by the replacement of toxic N ‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) by water. Herein, two new fluorine‐free poly(ionic liquid)s are proposed as binders for LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) cathodes, based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDADMA) and two‐phosphate counte...

There is an increasing interest in ionic liquid electrolytes for battery applications because they are potentially safer alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes. As the properties of ionic liquid electrolytes strongly depend on the chemistry of the constituent cations and anions, with phosphonium cations often being more favourable, here-i...

Fabricating highly efficient and long‐life redox bifunctional electrocatalysts is vital for oxygen‐related renewable energy devices. To boost the bifunctional catalytic activity of Fe‐N‐C single‐atom catalysts, it is imperative to fine‐tune the coordination microenvironment of the Fe sites to optimize the adsorption/desorption energies of intermedi...

The inhibition of localised corrosion is known to involve multiple processes taking place over a range of time and length scales that are difficult to study by conventional electrochemical methods. This work demonstrates an approach to probing complex localised electrochemical processes by combining an electrochemically integrated multi-electrode a...

In this work, two rare earth carboxylate compounds, lanthanum 4-hydroxycinnamate (La(4-OHcin)3) and yttrium 3-(4-methylbenzoyl)propanoate (Y(mbp)3), were incorporated into bisphenol-based epoxy resin to investigate their effectiveness in coating barrier properties and active corrosion inhibition. EIS results showed that the incorporation of rare ea...

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is the most common binder for cathode electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. However, PVDF is a fluorinated compound and requires toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent during the slurry preparation, making the electrode fabrication process environmentally unfriendly. In this study, we propose the use of carr...

Before the debut of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the commodity market, solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) were considered promising high-energy electrochemical energy storage systems before being almost abandoned in the late 1980s because of safety concerns. However, after three decades of development, LIB technologies are now approach...

Poster was presented at 11:55am−1:30pm

Corrosion is a significant problem that negatively affects a wide range of structures and buildings, resulting in their premature failure, which causes safety hazards and significant economic loss. For this reason, various approaches have been developed to prevent or minimize the effects of corrosion, including corrosion inhibitors. Recently, bioba...

Organic inhibitor alternatives to toxic chromium treatments are being sought to protect metal surfaces. One of the limitations of the organic inhibitors is leaching out of the coatings limiting their performance. This work investigates the ionic attachment of coumarate inhibitors into a poly(ionic liquid), polyDADMA coumarate, and its application i...

In this work, the inhibition properties of new bio-based lignine ILs on the corrosion of mild steel in an aqueous solution of 0.01 M NaCl were investigated by Potentiostatic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (PEIS), Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarization (CPP). Moreover, the surface was characterized using SEM, EDS, and optical profilometry. The...

“Free‐standing hard carbon electrodes prepared from cotton eliminate the use of binders or toxic solvents. The electrode carbonized at 1000 °C for 5 min (CF5 min) exhibits a remarkable specific capacity of 272 mAh g− 1 with an initial coloumbic efficiency of 75 % due to a large interlayer spacing and oxygen‐rich functional groups on the surface, le...