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The development and utilization of innovative characterization techniques, either in post mortem or operando mode, enable to probe the different reaction mechanisms taking place in a cell on the micro and macro-scopic length scales at the bulk level, i.e., lithium insertion and extraction, at the surface level, i.e., SEI formation, as well as at the electrolyte level. Knowing such reaction mechanisms is essential to understand the battery performance.

Our goal is to develop novel materials and to improve existing materials for Li-ion, Li-S, and exotic (Na, Mg, Ca, etc...) batteries. We apply different synthetic routes, such as sol-gel chemistry, mechanosynthesis, solid state synthesis under various controlled atmospheres, and microwave synthesis to control the morphology and obtained the most promising electrochemical performances of a dedicated systems.

During PEFC’s operation the reactant gas is fed to the cell through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and through the same material the product water is removed. Water accumulation near the catalyst can block the gas access causing an increase of the mass transport losses. On the other hand, PEFC’s work with a solid electrolyte membrane that needs to be hydrated in order to be proton conductive. In order to obtain the maximum performance PEFC’s require a well-balanced water management.