Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)

Electrochemical energy storage is an ideal solution for problems like the depletion of fossil fuels and certain climatic catastrophes, which can play a crucial role in energy conversion and storage, pollution control, and monitoring. Metal-ion-based energy storage systems have sparked particular interest among energy storage devices due to their efficiency, high energy density, quick charging, longer life, and low maintenance. In light of the knowledge and experience gained from my previous research, I am interested in the synthesis of functional nanomaterials using the mechanochemical process for the fabrication of high-performance electrode material for faradaic and non-faradaic charge storage systems, which include rechargeable batteries (Li-ion, Na-ion & K-ion batteries) and supercapacitors. Green and scalable synthesis of nanomaterials for the fabrication of high-performance electrodes for metal-ion-based charge storage systems (e.g., LIB, NIB, LIC, NIC, etc.) that can tolerate high currents and offer high energy and power density with long durability is the prime objective of my research. Also, systems should exhibit much more safety features than state-of-the-art systems with wide temperature operation (-20 to 50 °C) capability to sustain various environmental conditions.
I am also interested in recycling and reusing spent lithium-ion batteries. Graphite can be recovered from the spent LIBs by using environmentally friendly solvents and could be directly reused in NIBs. The separator can also be taken out from LIBs and can be used as an alternative for the fresh separator.