Publications

Showing 45 results for Author: Michelle Lehmann

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Sep, 2026

Journal

Solvent-based synthesis and characterization of sodium thiophosphate catholytes for nonaqueous redox flow batteries

The development of low-cost, high-energy, and stable redox-active materials is critical for advancing nonaqueous redox flow batteries for long-duration energy storage. This study investigates sodium thiophosphate catholytes synthesized through a solvent-mediated reaction route. While traditional sodium polysulfides are limited to a narrow cycling window to avoid formation…
Aug, 2026

Journal

Mechanistic insight into the effects of A-site doping in perovskite nanorods on interfacial Li-ion and Na-ion transport in polymer–perovskite composite electrolytes

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) offer a promising pathway to safer and higher energy density electrochemical energy storage yet optimizing interfacial ion transport remains a critical challenge due to high resistances and a lack of understanding of the complex interfacial electrostatic interactions. This work investigates the mechanistic origins of the interfacial io…
Jun, 2026

Journal

Plasticizer-Free Gradient-Crosslinked Polyurethane Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Polymer-based solid-state electrolytes are promising for next-generation lithium metal batteries, yet their limited ionic conductivity and mechanical stability at ambient conditions remain key challenges. Herein, we report a novel gradient crosslinked polymer electrolyte (PU/PUA/PU) synthesized via a sequential in situ UV-curing process that integrates a mechanically robus…
Jun, 2026

Journal

Binder-Stabilized Carbon Fiber Hosts for High-Utilization Sodium–Polysulfide Flow Catholytes

Sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries hold promise as high-energy-density batteries for long-duration energy storage due to their high open circuit voltage and Earth-abundant active materials. However, low utilization of the sulfur active material limits the achievable specific capacity, especially when a liquid polysulfide catholyte is utilized. High-surface-area carbon material…
Mar, 2026

Journal

Understanding the Influence of Chain Architecture on the Transport Quantities of Polymer Electrolytes with Covalently Bonded Anions

We use a combination of experiments and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the structure–property relationships in polymer electrolytes obtained by the copolymerization of poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate─lithium styrene bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) or p(VEC-LiSTFSI). Experiments show that the conductivity reduces with increasing anion (i.e., ST…
Feb, 2026

Journal

Percolating Interfacial Layers Enhance Conductivity in Polymer–Composite Electrolytes

This study investigates the impact of the ceramic particle size on the bulk and interfacial ion transport properties of composite polymer electrolytes. The ceramic particles used for this study are micrometer-sized commercial lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) powders and LLTO nanorods (NR) prepared in the laboratory. The polymer matrices are vinylene carbonate (VEC) based…
Feb, 2026

Journal

A Solid State Zwitterionic Plastic Crystal With High Static Dielectric Constant

Solid materials with a high dielectric constant have a wide range of applications in the energy storage field. In this research, an imidazolium-based zwitterion is designed, synthesized, and confirmed to have a plastic crystal phase based on the following experimental and computational evidence: (i) the presence of long-range order with weak intermolecular forces and compe…
Jan, 2026

Journal

Oxygen Reduction on Platinum-Nickel and Platinum-Cobalt Alloy Based Catalysts for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Catalyst layers, with commercial PtNi/TKK (TECNiE52; platinum 46.5 wt%), PtCo/TKK (TEC36E52; platinum 45.8 wt%) catalysts, and an in-house catalyst PtNi-NC (platinum 38.4 wt%), synthesised using acoustic mixer and a tube furnace, are prepared using three different ionomers: 20 wt% Nafion®, 60 wt% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and an in-house 5 wt% ionomer (‘Ionomer X’).…
Nov, 2025

Journal

B-staging and Crosslinking of Polycarbosilane at room temperature: Cure Mechanism and Properties

The viscosity of polycarbosilane (PCS) polymers is not advantageous for free forming. Various fillers and heat are used to obtain a formable paste. Due to the low yield stress, structures and preforms tend to slump or resin will flow out, especially during the curing of the polymer. B-staging of PCS allows for a more stable structure from room temperature until the full cu…
Sep, 2025

Journal

Unveiling the Reactivity of Fluoropolymers with Sodium Metal: Mechanistic Insights and Battery Implications

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) has broad applications across various metal-ion battery systems, such as a binder for electrodes, a supporting matrix for electrolytes, and a separator material. Due to its excellent mechanical properties, PVDF-HFP has become an excellent candidate for fabricating gel and solid-state electrolytes in sodium-based b…
Sep, 2025

Journal

Revisiting the Role of Mobile Ion Size for the Activation Barrier of Charge Transport in Single Ion Conducting Polymers

The development of polymer electrolytes for energy storage and conversion technologies requires a fundamental understanding of the material parameters controlling the energy barriers for ion transport. In glassy polymers, these activation barriers are usually extracted by using Arrhenius procedures. However, our recent studies of single ion conducting polymers reveal that…
Aug, 2025

Journal

Emergent Nanostructure and Ion Transport in Polyzwitterion/Polyanion Blends

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) hold great promise for the advancement of next-generation energy storage devices. However, the ion transport mechanism in SPEs remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate blends of poly(1-(3-sulfonatopropyl)-2-vinylpyridinium) (P2VPPS) and poly(lithium (trifluoromethane)sulfonimide methacrylate) (P(MTFSI)Li) of varying molar r…

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Publications

Solvent-based synthesis and characterization of sodium thiophosphate catholytes for nonaqueous redox flow batteries

Mechanistic insight into the effects of A-site doping in perovskite nanorods on interfacial Li-ion and Na-ion transport in polymer–perovskite composite electrolytes

Plasticizer-Free Gradient-Crosslinked Polyurethane Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Binder-Stabilized Carbon Fiber Hosts for High-Utilization Sodium–Polysulfide Flow Catholytes

Understanding the Influence of Chain Architecture on the Transport Quantities of Polymer Electrolytes with Covalently Bonded Anions

Percolating Interfacial Layers Enhance Conductivity in Polymer–Composite Electrolytes

A Solid State Zwitterionic Plastic Crystal With High Static Dielectric Constant

Oxygen Reduction on Platinum-Nickel and Platinum-Cobalt Alloy Based Catalysts for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

B-staging and Crosslinking of Polycarbosilane at room temperature: Cure Mechanism and Properties

Unveiling the Reactivity of Fluoropolymers with Sodium Metal: Mechanistic Insights and Battery Implications

Revisiting the Role of Mobile Ion Size for the Activation Barrier of Charge Transport in Single Ion Conducting Polymers

Emergent Nanostructure and Ion Transport in Polyzwitterion/Polyanion Blends