Rechargeable Aluminium-Organic Batteries with High-capacities

Advancements in battery technologies are revolutionising global energy usage. While lithium-ion batteries dominate the energy storage landscape, there is a pressing need to decrease costs, enhance safety, and address concerns over lithium resources which has fuelled a push towards the development of “post-lithium-ion” battery technologies. Rechargeable aluminium batteries (RABs) using metallic aluminium (Al) anodes have emerged as a promising alternative for electrical energy storage because Al anodes can provide high gravimetric/volumetric capacities with low cost and ambient stability. RAB research has seen rapid development, focusing on high-capacity cathodes compatible with Al anodes. A cornerstone study in 2015 introduced a configuration comprising few-layer graphene cathodes and Al metal anodes in chloroaluminate electrolytes. However, limitations persist due to the tight interlayer distance (~3.35 Å), constraining charge carrier ions and capping the capacity.

Organic molecules exhibit diverse potential as battery electrodes, particularly in RABs for high capacities. Our recent study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons demonstrated high specific capacities by adjusting their molecular chemistry, particularly the substituting groups, to control charge transfer and self-polymerisation processes. While electron-donating substitutions enhance multiple electron redox processes for high capacity in many battery applications, RABs have distinct redox mechanisms involving interfacial electrolyte ion binding and molecular structure changing. Critical research questions arise: (1) How does substitute chemistry affect molecule-ion coordination? (2) What structural changes and intermediate impacts affect battery performance? Answers to these questions are key for devising strategies to develop organic cathodes with multiple electron redox chemistries, thus enabling high-capacity rechargeable aluminium-organic batteries (RAOBs). This project aims to thoroughly explore high-capacity organic cathode materials and regulate their molecular structural changes during battery operations by managing substitute chemistry and nano-confinement within porous carbon hosts for high cathode performances.

This project will be conducted at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at The University of Queensland (UQ). It is strongly aligned with several of UQ’s identified research strengths including Materials Engineering, Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, all of which were ranked as well above the world average (5/5) in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) exercise. AIBN has the major research pillar of “Nano-engineered materials” including the development of functional nanomaterials for energy storage and provides extensive collaborative opportunities for this proposed cutting-edge research with a critical mass of materials and chemistry researchers including Professors Chengzhong Yu, Debra Bernhardt, Lianzhou Wang and Yusuke Yamauchi. AIBN/UQ will provide access to advanced research facilities for the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, including ANFF Queensland Node, CMM/UQ and the former ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A working knowledge of electrochemical energy storage materials and technologies would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of electrochemistry, and materials science and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of macromolecular and materials chemistry, and chemical sciences is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2026. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2025 30 June, 2025.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Xiaodan Huang (x.huang@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now