Nanoscience and Energy Research Lab

Research

Our research primarily focuses on designing and synthesizing novel electrolytes and electrode materials for developing sustainable electrochemical energy storage devices. We do fundamental investigations on interfacial and bulk electrochemistry through various in-situ and ex-situ studies. We are also focusing on the development of flexible and miniaturized energy storage devices.

Nanomaterials

Materials in the nano realm make revolutionary changes in every field, especially in the area of energy storage. Our team focuses on developing and characterizing novel nanomaterials for energy applications. We are utilizing both top-down as well as bottom-up approaches to synthesize nanomaterials, by implementing various nanotechnologies such as thin film deposition via. physical/chemical vapor deposition, hydro/solvothermal techniques, electrochemical exfoliation, etc.

Representative Publications

Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Understanding how degree of crystallinity affects electrochemical kinetics of sodium-ion in brown TiO2 nanotubes”, ChemElectroChem, 2021, 8 (12), 2180-2185. (Feature the paper on the front cover).
Babu, B.; Simon, P.; Balducci, A., “Fast charging materials for high power applications”, Adv. Energy Mater. 2020, 10 (29), 2001128.
Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M., “High-performance sodium-ion hybrid capacitor based on Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanostructures”, J. Power Sources, 2017, 353, 85-94.

Advanced Electrolytes

Electrolytes play a major role in controlling the voltage window and the safety of energy storage devices. Here we focus on developing and characterizing different aqueous, organic, and ionic electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage devices. We are also involved in developing gel-polymer and solid-state electrolytes in view of designing safe, leakage-free, high-voltage devices.

Representative Publications

Babu, B.*; Neumann, C.; Muench, S.; Enke, M.; Medenbach, L.; Leibing, C.; Balducci, A. L.; Turchanin, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “ Diglyme-based Gel Polymer Electrolytes for K-ion capacitors” Energy Storage Mater. 2023, 56, 342–350 (*corresponding author)
Babu, B.; Enke, M.; Prykhodska, S.; Lex-Balducci, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “New diglyme-based gel polymer electrolytes for Na-based energy storage devices”, ChemSusChem 2021, 14 (21), 4836-4845.
Babu, B.; Neumann, C.; Enke, M.; Lex-Balducci, A.; Turchanin, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “Aging processes in high voltage lithium-ion capacitors containing liquid and gel-polymer electrolytes”, J. Power Sources 2021, 496, 229797.

Classification of materials

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries, especially Li-ion batteries, are game-changing technology in the area of alternative energy storage. Batteries that can store energy as a result of the faradaic (redox) process occurring at the electrodes. We are involved in developing different intercalation/ alloy/ conversion type electrode materials and aqueous, organic, and ionic liquid/ gel/ solid-state electrolytes for Li-ion batteries. High-energy batteries such as Li-metal batteries, Li-sulphur batteries, Li-air batteries, anode-free batteries, and dual-ion batteries are the top prior research area in our lab. By considering the shortage and uneven global distribution of lithium sources, NERL is working on developing non-lithium-based energy storage devices such as Na/K/Ca/Zn/Mg/Al-based batteries.

Representative Publications

J. Offermann, S. N. Ul Haq, K.-X. Wang, R. Adelung, S.-H. Chang†, Babu, B.†; M. Abdollahifar†, "Fast-Charging Lithium–Sulfur Batteries " Advanced Energy Materials 2025, n/a, 2404383.
Pal, S. †; Zhang, X. †; Babu, B. †; Lin, X.; Wang, J.; Vlad, A., “Materials, Electrodes, and Electrolytes Advances for Next Generation Lithium-based Anode-Free Batteries”, Oxford Open Materials Science 2022, itac005. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac005. († equal contribution)
Palaniselvam, T.; Babu, B.; Moon, H.; Hasa, I.; Santhosha, A. L.; Goktas, M.; Sun, Y.-N.; Zhao, L.; Han, B.-H.; Passerini, S.; Balducci, A.; Adelhelm, P., “Tin-containing graphite for sodium-ion batteries and hybrid capacitors”, Batteries & Supercaps 2021, 4 (1), 173-182.
Varghese, S. P.; Babu, B.; Prasannachandran, R.; Antony, R.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Enhanced electrochemical properties of Mn3O4/graphene nanocomposite as efficient anode material for lithium-ion batteries”, J. Alloys Compd., 2019, 780, 588-596.

Electrochemical Capacitors

Electrochemical capacitors are high-power energy storage devices that are broadly classified into two: (a) Electric double layer capacitor (EDLC)/ Supercapacitor and (b) Pseudocapacitor. Supercapacitor stores energy due to the ion adsorption at the electrode surface, forming an electric double layer (EDL) at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. In pseudocapacitors, the pseudocapacitive materials undergo fast faradaic reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces.

In NERL, we are developing highly sustainable and cost-effective novel supercapacitive and pseudocapacitive materials. Various energy materials including carbon-based materials, 2D materials, metal oxides, organic materials, etc., are developing through different techniques. Moreover, we conduct detailed studies to elucidate the basic storage mechanism of developed materials in various electrolytes under room as well as elevated temperatures.

Representative Publications

Jha, M. K.; Babu, B.; Parker, B. J.; Surendran, V.; Cameron, N. R.; Shaijumon, M. M.; Subramaniam, C., “Hierarchically engineered nanocarbon florets as bifunctional electrode materials for adsorptive and intercalative energy storage”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12 (38), 42669-42677.
Vedhanarayanan, B.; Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M.; Ajayaghosh, A., “Exfoliation of reduced graphene oxide with self-assembled π-gelators for improved electrochemical performance”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2016, 9(23), 19417-19426.
Damien, D.; Babu, B.; Narayanan, T. N.; Reddy, A. L.; Ajayan, P. M.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Eco-efficient synthesis of graphene nanoribbons and Its application in electrochemical supercapacitors”, Graphene, Volume 1, Number 1, June 2013, 37-44(8).

Hybrid-ion Capacitors

Hybrid-ion capacitors (HICs) are high-power energy storage devices, which are designed by the integration of battery and supercapacitor electrodes, merging the best of both worlds. HIC stores/releases energy due to the simultaneous cation insertion/extraction at the battery electrode, and the adsorption/desorption of anions at the capacitive electrode. Based on the cell configurations, the HICs are classified into Type I and Type II. Type I contain the battery negative electrode (anode) in combination with the capacitive positive electrode (cathode). In the Type II HIC configuration, capacitive material is used as the negative electrode (anode), and the battery material is used as the positive electrode (cathode).

NERL develops highly porous, high surface area materials as capacitive electrodes, and faradaic/ pseudocapacitive materials as battery electrodes for the fabrication of HICs in both cell configurations. Also, we are dedicated to designing novel electrolytes to develop safe and high- voltage HICs.

Representative Publications

Babu, B.*; Neumann, C.; Muench, S.; Enke, M.; Medenbach, L.; Leibing, C.; Balducci, A. L.; Turchanin, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “ Diglyme-based Gel Polymer Electrolytes for K-ion capacitors” Energy Storage Mater. 2023, 56, 342–350 (*corresponding author)
Babu, B.; Balducci, A., “Self-discharge of lithium-ion capacitors”, J. Power Sources Advances 2020, 5, 100026
Babu, B.; Ullattil, S. G.; Prasannachandran, R.; Kavil, J.; Periyat, P.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Ti3+ induced brown TiO2 nanotubes for high performance sodium-ion hybrid capacitors”, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2018, 6 (4), 5401–5412.
Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M., “High performance sodium-ion hybrid capacitor based on Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanostructures”, J. Power Sources, 2017, 353, 85-94.
Babu, B.; Lashmi, P. G.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Li-ion capacitor based on activated rice husk derived porous carbon with improved electrochemical performance”, Electrochim. Acta, 2016, 211, 289-296.

In-situ/ operando/ ex-situ measurements

A fundamental understanding of bulk and surface storage mechanisms of different energy materials is essential to improve the energy storage density, power density, cycle life, and shelf life of energy storage devices. Thermodynamics and kinetics studies such as chemical diffusion coefficient, partial ion conductivity, thermodynamic enhancement factor, differential intercalation capacity, etc., of different ions provide deeper insights into the relationship between storage and the crystal/ morphological structure of the energy materials.

NERL focuses on conducting various in-situ/operando/ex-situ analyses, including different mathematical modeling of energy storage devices to understand the fundamental storage mechanism, electrode/electrolyte interfacial properties, aging and self-discharge mechanisms, etc. Various electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge(GCD), galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), etc., are utilized to elucidate the electrochemical properties of materials and devices.

Representative Publications

Babu, B.; Neumann, C.; Enke, M.; Lex-Balducci, A.; Turchanin, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “Aging processes in high voltage lithium-ion capacitors containing liquid and gel-polymer electrolytes”, J. Power Sources 2021, 496, 229797.
Babu, B.; Enke, M.; Prykhodska, S.; Lex-Balducci, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “New diglyme-based gel polymer electrolytes for Na-based energy storage devices”, ChemSusChem 2021, 14 (21), 4836-4845.
Babu, B.; Balducci, A., “Self-discharge of lithium-ion capacitors”, J. Power Sources Advances 2020, 5, 100026
Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M., “Studies on kinetics and diffusion characteristics of lithium ions in TiNb2O7”, Electrochim. Acta 2020, 345, 136208.
Babu, B.; Shaijumon, M. M., “High performance sodium-ion hybrid capacitor based on Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanostructures”, J. Power Sources, 2017, 353, 85-94.

Miniaturized and Flexible Devices

Miniaturization of energy storage devices is essential for the advancement of the microelectronic sector, including microsensing, health tracking areas, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), etc. Also, developing flexible energy storage devices is vital for wearable electronic gadgets.

In NERL, we are interested in developing energy storage devices at the micro or nano level, such as on-chip interdigitated micro-supercapacitor, micro-batteries, hybrid-micro-supercapacitor, thin-film devices, etc. Also, we are developing flexible electrode materials, and flexible gel-polymer electrolytes to fabricate flexible energy storage devices.

Representative Publications

Behboudikhiavi, S.; Omale J. O.; Babu, B.; Piraux, L.; Vlad. A., “Electrodeposition of Li-ion cathode materials: the fascinating alternative for Li-ion micro-batteries fabrication”, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2022, DOI 10.1149/1945-7111/acb6b9.
Babu, B.; Enke, M.; Prykhodska, S.; Lex-Balducci, A.; Schubert, U. S.; Balducci, A., “New diglyme-based gel polymer electrolytes for Na-based energy storage devices”, ChemSusChem 2021, 14 (21), 4836-4845.

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