Development of a sample environment for magnetic measurements at CoSAXS
Project description
In this project we exploit the enormous potential available in the large scale facilities in Lund ESS (https://europeanspallationsource.se/ ) and MAX IV (https://www.maxiv.lu.se/ ) to study future battery materials. In close collaboration with research groups in Germany, e.g., Universität zu Köln and Forschungszentrum Jülich, we will take advantage of the possibilities at the facilities to study nanoparticle-based battery materials at several length scales simultaneously. This is made possible thanks to the new instruments DREAM at ESS ( https://europeanspallationsource.se/instruments/dream ) and CoSAXS at MAX IV, (https://www.maxiv.lu.se/accelerators-beamlines/beamlines/cosaxs/ ). Using iron-based components we will develop methods to study changes in the battery chemistry and magnetism at the nanometre level following their X-ray or neutron diffraction behaviour at small and wide angles. Also, within this project we will develop tailored experimental battery cells that will allow us charging and discharging batteries while irradiating them and under applied magnetic fields (in-operando studies).
Financing
The project is financed by the Röntgen-Ångström Cluster, a German-Swedish research collaboration in structural biology and materials science (https://www.rontgen-angstrom.eu ). 2020-2023
Project participants
Germán Salazar-Alvarez (UU, coordinator in Sweden), Sabrina Disch (Universität zu Köln, coordinator in Germany), Peter Svedlindh (UU), Mario Valvo (UU), Earl Babcock (Forschungszentrum Jülich), Mikhail Feygenson (ESS and Forschungszentrum Jülich), Tomás Plivelic (MAX IV laboratory).
Sample environments for neutron scattering of energy and biomaterials
Project description
The project deals with upgrading the instrument DREAM at ESS (European Spallation Source, https://europeanspallationsource.se/) in Lund (https://europeanspallationsource.se/instruments/dream ) to studies of nanomaterials and thereby increasing dramatically their use and user base. The project aims at increasing the length scales that can be probed with DREAM. We will design advanced sample environments so that the upgrading can be fully exploited. The diffractometer DREAM includes from the original design the possibility of data acquisition in two length scales (Å and nm). Some examples of possible studies that will be carried out are how the structure of batteries changes during usage or how do small cellulose fibres self-assemble.
Financing
The project is financed by the Swedish Research Council Neutron Initiative. 2017-2020
Project members
Germán Salazar-Alvarez (coordinator), Peter Svedlindh (UU), Mario Valvo (UU), Seda Ulusoy (UU, PhD student), Werner Schweika (ESS), Gunnar Svensson (SU), Kristina Edström (UU), Mario Valvo (UU).
Characterisation of nanomaterials for electrocatalytic production of hydrogen using in-situ methods
Project description
The goal of the project is to develop effective and selective catalysts via a combination of theoretical calculations, material synthesis and electrocatalytic design and testing. We aim specially at fabricating and characterising nanomaterials for the electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol, which is a biproduct of the production of biodiesel, to valuable chemicals and hydrogen as well as through the oxidation of hydrocarbons from black liquors originating at paper mills to hydrogen. The project is being carried out in collaboration with a group of reseearchers from KTH and Stockholm University (SU) and Swedish industry. A large part of the experiments will be carried out at synchrotron facilities around the world, especially in Lund and Hamburg.
Financing
The project is financed by the Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) within the programme “Materials for energy applications”. 2018-2022
Project participants
Ann Cornell (KTH, coordinator), Germán Salazar-Alvarez (UU), Mats Johnsson (SU), Lars G. M. Pettersson (SU), Gunnar Henriksson (KTH), Egon Campos (SU, postdoc), Rafael Barrios (SU, postdoc), Zhen Qiu (KTH, postdoc), Athira Anil (UU, PhD student), Jai White (KTH, PhD student), Irina Terekhina (SU, PhD student).