We are currently inviting applications for a postdoctoral position - full time position for two years - to work on innovative electrolyte systems. This work will focus on very concentrated electrolytes (water-in-salt, solvent-in-salt, ionic liquid-in-salt) which present unexpected properties as the concentration of ionic species is comparable to those of the solvent molecules.
With the renewed interest in this regime for electrochemical applications, a more accurate picture of ion organization and dynamics may be necessary for understanding the physicochemical properties of concentrated electrolytes.
This collaborative program involve the preparation of the samples and the study of these systems from a multitechnique approach to probe complex interplays between nano-structuration and multiscale dynamics.
More specifically, the combination of complementary experimental techniques should help us to have a better insight into the formation of nanoscale structures such as channels or ionic aggregates.
Major aspects of these work will be based on:
- NMR techniques, most specifically those dedicated to the measurement of self-diffusion coefficients (PFG-NMR, STRAFI, electrophoretical)
- X-Ray and neutron diffraction
- neutron inelastic scattering
- complex impedance and Raman spectroscopies
Candidates should have interest and prior expertise about physicochemistry of electrolytes. A strong background in experimental NMR, as well as communication and writing skills are required.
This position is based on a collaborative research program between two laboratories in Paris-Saclay University : Laboratoire Léon Brillouin and Laboratoire de Physique des Solides.
To apply email a cover letter, CV and contact information for two references to Dr. Patrick Judeinstein (patrick.judeinstein@cea.fr) and Dr. Mehdi Zeghal (mehdi.zeghal@universite-paris-saclay.fr).
More details on previous development of this project can be found in the following references
[1] "Structure/Dynamics Interplay in Ionic Liquid based Electrolytes: Experiment and Molecular Simulation", P. Judeinstein, M. Zeghal, D. Constantin, C. Iojoiu, B. Coasne, J. Phys. Chem. B, 125, (2021), 1618-1631.
[2] "Investigation of ion aggregation in ionic liquids and their solutions with lithium salt under high pressure", K. Pilar, V. Balédent, M. Zeghal, P. Judeinstein, S. Jeong, S. Passerini, S. Greenbaum, J. Chem. Phys., 148, (2018), 031102.
[3] "Nanostructuration of Ionic Liquids : impact on cation mobility. A multi-scale study", F. Ferdeghini, Q. Berrod, J.-M. Zanotti, P. Judeinstein, V. Garcia Sakai, O. Czakkel, P. Fouquet, D. Constantin, Nanoscale, (2017), 9, 1901-1908.