Research practical proposal* in “Synthesis of radical organic polymers for energy storage devices” at the Charles Sadron Institute in Strasbourg Description The development of portable electronic devices led to the increased demand for smaller and efficient batteries. In particular, their applications in rollup displays, wearable devices, and nanoelectronics required the design of slim, flexible, and durable batteries. Thin bendable primary batteries based on inorganic compounds such as zinc and manganese dioxide have been developed for application as disposable cards, but have limited use since primary batteries are not rechargeable. Recent efforts led to the development of slim rechargeable secondary batteries based on lithium-ion, but the main concern regarding such batteries is related to their possible rupture leading to ignition or explosion especially when exposed to high temperature.1 An interesting approach to pursue to design efficient, rechargeable, flexible and safer batteries is the use of polymers that has gained some interests in this research area. Polymers possessing functional groups which can be reversibly oxidized and/or reduced O O -e N N such as nitroxide radicals is one of the avenues that has +e been explored.2 -
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e-
CHARGING
e-
e-
e-
DISCHARGING
In that context the project proposes the synthesis polymers bearing nitroxides as pendent groups that will be prepared by combining peptide synthesis with common polymerization techniques to prepare radical organic polymers with a well-defined number of nitroxides per repeat unit and topology of the pendent group attached to each monomer unit. The polymers synthesized will be compared to poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxy-4-yl methacrylate),3 a polymethacrylate bearing TEMPO nitroxide on each monomer unit, regarding their electrochemical performances. cathode
• ON
anode
Li+
NO •
organic polymer
N=O
+
O=N
Li+
Li+
+
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-
-
anode
+
Li+
• ON
cathode
O=N
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carbon
Li+
organic polymer
Li+
carbon
References 1. Wang Q., Ping P., Zhao X., Chu G., Sun J., Chen C., J. Power Sources 2012, 208, 210 2. a) Oyaizu K., Nishide H., Adv. Mater. 2009, 21, 2339; b) Janoschka T., Hager M. D., Schubert U. S., Adv. Mater. 2012, 24, 6397 3. Nishide H., Iwasa S., Pu Y.-J., Suga T., Nakahara K., Satoh M., Electrochim. Acta 2004, 50, 827
Requirements & Application We are looking for a motivated Master student with a good background in polymer chemistry and who is interested in gaining experience in peptide synthesis and polymer synthesis. To apply, please submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Delphine Chan-Seng (
[email protected]) * This proposal may give rise to a Master Thesis in continuation (S4 Traineeship)
