Reference electrodes for Na-ion batteries

Stage M2
France
January 9 2026
February 2 2026
6 month
2025-reference-electrodes-for-na-ion-batteries-en

Domain, Specialties : CHEMISTRY
Keywords: Synthesis, batteries

Research Unit: NIMBE / LEDNA

Summary

The integration of a reference electrode into a battery allows the electrochemical potential of a given electrode to be measured without affecting the battery’s performance. This potential measurement provides insight into the battery’s aging mechanisms, thereby enabling its performance to be optimized. The aim of this Master’s 2 research project is to synthesize electrode materials that can be used in Na-ion batteries.

Full description

Due to the growing demand for mobile energy storage, particularly in the automotive sector, research is focusing both on new battery technologies offering new prospects in terms of storage capacity and safety, and on diagnostic measures to detect battery aging mechanisms. In this context, it is particularly interesting to develop reference electrode materials for Na-ion batteries.

The LEDNA team at NIMBE is devoted to s synthese different types of nanomaterials to address societal challenges in the energy, environment, and health sectors. As part of its research activities, the laboratory is developing several synthesis methods for obtaining customized nanoparticles (control of the chemical composition, size, and morphology of the nanoparticles). As part of this project, a state-of-the-art analysis will be carried out to determine the relevant materials for the application. These will be synthesized using various processes such as microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis in air or under an inert atmosphere.
The synthesized materials will be finely characterized using conventional techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (crystallographic structure) and SEM analysis (particle size and morphology). Cyclic voltammetry measurements will complete this panel to study the electrochemical properties of these materials. The materials with the best properties will be used by the project partners as the active material for the production of reference electrodes and tested electrochemically.

This project is being carried out in collaboration with several partners with complementary expertise, particularly in electrochemical cell instrumentation and post-mortem battery characterization (CEA/LITEN in Grenoble). Meetings between the various partners will take place during the internship.

References:
[1] L. Baggetto, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 118 (2014), pp. 7856-7864
[2] L. Baggetto et al., Electrochem. Commun. 2013, 34, 41– 44
[3] Y. Zhu, et al., Nanoscale, 5 (2013), pp. 780-787
[4] Z. Jian, et al. Electrochem. Commun., 14 (2012) 86-89.
[5] X. Zhang, et al. Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 2556.
[6] T. Akçay, et al., ACS Applied Energy Materials 2021 4 (11), 12688-12695

Location

CEA-Saclay, France

Internship conditions

  • Internship duration: 6 months
  • Level of study: Bac+5
  • Training: Master 2
  • Continuation in PhD thesis: No
  • Application deadline: 5 janvier 2026

Experimental skills

Language : English

Useful methods and technics:
Inorganic synthesis (by microwave, sol-gel, combustion), XRD, SEM, IR, BET, electrochemistry

Supervisor

Suzy SURBLE
Phone: 01 69 08 69 16
Email :

Head of the laboratory NIMBE / LEDNA

Suzy SURBLE
Phone: 01 69 08 69 16