PhD Proposal: Bret Marckx

Bret Marckx, PhD Student

Advisor: 

Dr. Özgür Çapraz

TITLE: Investigation of Electrochemical and Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Cathode Materials for Aqueous Zn- Batteries via Operando Mechanical Measurements

ABSTRACT: 

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, electrification, and renewable energy integration is driving unprecedented demand for reliable, grid-scale energy storage. Aqueous zinc batteries offer a promising solution due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and use of earth-abundant materials; however, their widespread deployment is hindered by an incomplete understanding of cathode charge-storage mechanisms and degradation pathways. This doctoral research develops and applies a unified operando chemo-mechanical framework to elucidate structure–property–performance relationships in representative aqueous battery cathodes, including V₂O₅, poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD), and MnO₂. By synchronizing electrochemical cycling with digital image correlation (DIC), multi-beam optical stress sensing (MOSS), and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D), this work establishes mechanical stress, strain, and mass evolution as diagnostic fingerprints of competing ion-insertion, surface, and interfacial processes. The results reveal voltage-dependent mechanistic competition between Zn²⁺ and H⁺ insertion in V₂O₅, electrolyte-mediated stress–strain mismatches during charge, asynchronous mechanical behavior in organic cathodes, and the role of Bi₂O₃ in stabilizing MnO₂ in alkaline systems. Collectively, this research provides a mechanistic foundation for rational electrolyte and cathode design, advancing the development of durable, high-performance aqueous zinc batteries for grid-scale energy storage.

Agenda

• 9:55 am: Meeting room will open
• 10:00 am: 45-min presentation will be open to the public with Q&A.
• Followed by a closed session with the committee and PhD Student.