Louise McGrath

Louise McGrath

Finalist

• What encouraged you to submit your application to Postgraduate Publication of the Year?
• This was the first paper that I published from my Ph.D. work and the results demonstrated in the paper are positive for the electrolyte/electrode combination with the polymer gel exhibiting high ionic conductivity, 600 times greater than conventional solid-state electrolytes, e.g. LiPON, and Germanium (Ge) demonstrated coulombic efficiencies greater than 99% at typical discharge rates.
• What inspired you to choose the subject of your paper?
• My work is focused on microbattery research or millimetre-sized batteries, and I have to focus on high energy materials. I chose Germanium (Ge) as it offers high energy density over a small area, however, it does suffer non-uniform expansion and contraction when cycled with lithium. This causes it to lift from the substrate, thus reducing its cycle life. Polymer gel electrolytes buffer these effects which in turn increases the cycle life of Ge. I developed a process for a polymer gel compatible with Ge. This was the basis of my paper which has been shown to have a positive effect on the cycle life of Ge.
• What’s your paper about and how did you prepare for it? What role did research excellence play in your approach?
• This work describes a simplified synthesis of the polymer gels with favourable properties for lithium ion batteries. Most methods in the literature rely on high temperatures during synthesis, or drying the polymer gels under vacuum. Our method can be performed outside of a glovebox at moderate temperatures (50 °C). No vacuum or external heating during the drying process, and no further treatment (e. g. soaking in electrolyte, or UV irradiation) is required once dry. The work also describes for the first time electrochemical analysis of DC sputtered Ge thin films compatibility with these ionic liquid based polymer gel electrolytes. At all stages of the research we have considered novel materials and processing combined with the potential for use in full cells. This necessitated the analysis of electrolytes with excellent conductivity and stability characteristics and one of the most energy dense anode materials for lithium batteries. This paper established a collaborative relationship with John Jones and Edwin Carey from Technological University Dublin (Tallaght campus) our co-authors who performed thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry on our electrolytes.
• The selection for Postgraduate Publication of the Year is extremely competitive. What is your advice for those aspiring for nomination next year?
• Present your paper in a positive manner, and really think about its impact and novelty. Does your research affect a different field of research? Can it help in any way? If so, mention it. If you have set up successful collaborations mention those as well as it reflects positively on your work. Don’t underestimate your contribution to the research community. Submit your application and see what happens.
• What is the single most significant support Tyndall has been able to offer you in achieving your research goals? 
• A wealth of knowledge can be obtained within Tyndall, as there are many researchers who have various areas of expertise. By talking to colleagues I have been able to obtain high quality results not only for this paper but for my research in general. Their knowledge and willingness to help is the sole reason I have been able to accomplish as much as I have. I am acknowledging them within my thesis as they have played significant roles during my PhD journey and I am eternally grateful to them. 

Research Publication Link

"Ionic Liquid Based Polymer Gel Electrolytes for Use with Germanium Thin Film Anodes in Lithium Ion Batteries”, Louise M. McGrath, John Jones, Edwin Carey, and James F. Rohan, ChemistryOpen 2019, 8, 1429–1436