Master thesis- Spontaneous side reactions between sodium and electrolyte solutions

Job description

Master thesis project 2025 

 

Background
Sodium is a highly reactive metal that must be passivated to prevent it from spontaneously disintegrating when in contact with most electrolyte solutions. In a sodium-based battery cell, the electrodeposition of metallic sodium often disrupts this passivation. As a result, the passivation layer needs to continuously reform during cycling. If the amount of metallic sodium is limited, this can lead to a continuous loss in the battery’s capacity.

 

Typically, metallic sodium is used in half-cells and in excess. In these cases, it is difficult to detect if the passivation of sodium fails and if there is an ongoing side reaction with the metallic sodium. For metallic sodium to be viable in a battery cell, it should not be used in large excess. Therefore, it is crucial to understand which electrolyte solutions can passivate sodium and whether this passivation remains effective during the electrochemical deposition and dissolution of metallic sodium.

 

This project aims to identify and evaluate the side reactions occurring on metallic sodium in various electrolyte solutions commonly used in sodium metal cells.

 

Scope
The period is one semester, 30 hp, starting in the first quarter of 2025. The work will be conducted at Uppsala University in collaboration with Volvo Group Trucks Technology in Gothenburg.

The work will include:
•    Identifying, rationalizing, and comparing the spontaneous reactions that metallic sodium undergoes with various electrolyte solutions.
•    Exploring spontaneous reactions by analyzing gas formation and the mass change when sodium is in contact with an electrolyte solution.
•    Comparing these findings with gas formation and mass change during the cycling of a metallic sodium electrode.
•    At the end of the project, each tested electrolyte solution will be compared in terms of reactivity with metallic sodium. How these side reactions affect the cycling of a metallic sodium electrode will be evaluated using both experimental results and theoretical insights.

 

Student profile
This thesis project is suitable for a master student in natural sciences or engineering with an educational background in chemistry, physics, or materials science. The work requires prior knowledge of batteries, electrochemical methods, and surface chemistry.

 

Contacts
Simon Colbin, Volvo Group Trucks Technology (simon.colbin@volvo.com)
Aram Hall, Uppsala University (charles-aram.hall@kemi.uu.se)

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Who we are and what we believe in 
Our focus on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity allows each of us the opportunity to bring our full authentic self to work and thrive by providing a safe and supportive environment, free of harassment and discrimination. 

 

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, across the globe, our trucks, buses, engines, construction equipment, financial services, and solutions make modern life possible. We are almost 100,000 people empowered to shape the future landscape of efficient, safe and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents with sharp minds and passion across the group’s leading brands and entities. 

 

Group Trucks Technology are seeking talents to help design sustainable transportation solutions for the future. As part of our team, you’ll help us by engineering exciting next-gen technologies and contribute to projects that determine new, sustainable solutions. Bring your love of developing systems, working collaboratively, and your advanced skills to a place where you can make an impact. Join our design shift that leaves society in good shape for the next generation.

Job Category:  Technology Engineering

Organization:  Group Trucks Technology

Travel Required:  No Travel Required

Requisition ID:  15090