Research

This research theme focuses on designing and developing chalcogen cathodes (S, Se, and Te) for lithium and potassium metal batteries. The chalcogen metals are recycled and upgraded from industrial wastes in British Columbia and turned into value-added materials for battery applications. This research explores a new model of establishing a close-loop battery ecosystem locally and in Canada.

1. Y. Zhang, W. Lu, D Manaig, D. J. Freschi, Y. Liu, J. Liu. “Quasi-solid-state lithium-tellurium batteries based on flexible gel polymer electrolytes”, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2022, 605, 547-555.
2. Y. Zhang, W. Lu, P. Zhao, M. H. Aboonasr Shiraz, D. Manaig, D. Freschi, Y. Liu, J. Liu, “A durable lithium–tellurium battery: Effects of carbon pore structure and tellurium content”, Carbon, 2021, 173, 11-21.
3. Y. Zhang, D. Manaig, D.J. Freschi, J. Liu. “Materials design and fundamental understanding of tellurium-based electrochemistry for rechargeable batteries”, Energy Storage Materials, 2021, 40, 166-188.
4. J. Liu, D. Lu, J. Zheng, P. Yan, B. Wang, X. Sun, Y. Shao, C. Wang, J. Xiao, J.G. Zhang,  J. Liu, “Minimizing polysulfide shuttle effect in lithium-ion sulfur batteries by anode surface passivation”, ACS Applied Materials Interfaces, 2018, 10, 26, 21965–21972.

This research theme concentrate on developing high-performance, low-cost, and safe supercapacitors for grid applications by using naturally abundant resources available in Canada. We achieved a high-rate supercapacitor with the best capacitance and energy density reported for activated carbon, including 41.7 F g^-1 and 35 Wh kg^-1, by matching activated carbon with a water/acetonitrile hybrid electrolyte.

1. A. Khosrozadeh, Li Tao, Peter Zhao, M. B. Millerd, O. Voznyy, J. Liu. “Hybrid water/acetonitrile electrolyte enables using smaller ions for achieving superior energy density in carbon-based supercapacitors”, Journal of Power Sources, 2021, 498, 229905.

This research theme centers on developing zinc-based chemistry for energy storage devices, taking advantage of the environmental friendliness, large abundance, and low cost of zinc. In aqueous-based electrolytes, the zinc metal anode is coupled with an intercalation-type (MnO₂ V₂O₅) or adsorption-type cathodes (activated carbon) to deliver safe and long-lasting systems for grid applications.

1. X. Lu, L. Tao, K. Qu, Y. Zhang, J. Liu. “A low-concentration eutectic electrolyte for superior cycling ability of aqueous zinc-ion capacitors”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2TA05573B.
2. H. He, H. Tong, X. Song, X. Song, J. Liu, “Highly stable Zn metal anode enabled by atomic layer deposited Al2O3 coating for aqueous zinc-ion batteries”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2020, 8, 7836-7846
3. X. Lu, E. Hansen, G. He, J. Liu, “Eutectic electrolytes chemistry for rechargeable Zn batteries”, Small, 2022, 2200550.
4. X. Song, H. He, M.H. Aboonasr Shiraz, H. Zhu, A. Khosrozadeh, J. Liu. “Enhanced reversibility and electrochemical window of Zn-ion batteries with water/acetonitrile hybrid electrolytes”, Chemical Communications, 2021, 57, 1246-1249.

This research theme emphasizes the surface chemistry and process development for inorganic, organic, and hybrid inorganic/organic thin films and particles by using advanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) and the exploration of these functional nanomaterials in various emerging fields, such as energy storage and conversion (batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, CO₂ reduction), gas sensors, and optical.

1. Y. Zhao, L. Zhang, J. Liu, K. Adair, F. Zhao, Y. Sun, T. Wu, X. Bi, K. Amine, J. Lu, X. Sun. “Atomic/molecular layer deposition for energy storage and conversion”, Chemical Society Review, 2021, 50, 3889-3956
2. H. He, J. Liu, “Suppressing Zn dendrite growth by molecular layer deposition to enable long-life and deeply rechargeable aqueous Zn anodes”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2020, 8, 22100-22110.
3. H. Zhu, M. H. Aboonasr Shiraz, L. Yao, K. Adair, Z. Wang, H. Tong, X. Song, T.-K. Sham, M. Arjmand, X. Song, J. Liu. “Molecular-layer-deposited tincone: a new hybrid organic-inorganic anode material for three-dimensional microbatteries”, Chemical Communications, 2020, 56, 13221-13224.
4. “Pt single-atom/cluster catalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction”, N. Cheng, S. Stambula, D. Wang, M.N. Banis, J. Liu, A. Riese, B. Xiao, R. Li, T.K. Sham, L.M. Liu, G.A. Bottom and X. Sun, Nature Communications, 2016, 13638
5. “Rational design of atomic layer deposited LiFePO4 as a high-performance cathode for lithium-ion batteries”, J. Liu, M.N. Banis, Q. Sun, A. Lushington, R. Li, T.-K. Sham and X. Sun,  Advanced Materials, 2014, 26, 6472-6477.

This research theme aims to understand the root causes of battery safety issues by coupling optical microscopy (O.M.) and differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) with an electrochemical testing system. This in-operando diagnosis capability allows real-time observation, detection, and recording of morphological change (such as metal dendrites) and gaseous evolution with simultaneous measurement of materials performance in batteries, thus uncovering the root causes and developing mitigation strategies to enable safer and longer-lasting electrochemical energy storage systems.