Solid State Materials Chemistry; Batteries; Fuel Cells; Gas Sensors
The Thangadurai group works in the area of advanced alternative solid state electrochemical energy conversion (solid oxide fuel cells, proton conducting SOFCs) and storage (solid state Li ion batteries). My group develops novel CO2 and humidity stable solid-state ceramic proton conductors, fast oxide ion electrolytes and mixed ionic-electronic conductors by using solid-state and soft chemical synthesis methods for next generation SOFCs and H-SOFCs. We further understand the structure-chemical-composition-ionic conductivity property of garnet-type and other inorganic structures to develop solid electrolytes for all-solid-state Li-ion and other alkaline ion batteries. My group also designs novel ceramic materials for sensing various gases such as CO2, SOx, NOx, H2 and humidity. The Thangadurai group focuses on the study of various ions (proton, oxide ion, Li, Na) and mixed ion and electron transport through solid state (ceramic) materials to enhance the performances of alternative energy conversion (solid oxide fuel cells), proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells, energy storage (solid state batteries) and environmental (gas sensor) technologies. His group employs various modern solid state characterization methods such as ex-situ and in-situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) with variable temperature (up to 1173 K) and atmospheres, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), NMR, IR, UV, AC and DC electrical methods.