The SCI Sydney Andrew Scholarships supports PhD students studying subjects in emerging areas of agriculture and the chemical industry.
We are delighted to announce that Shaoquan Li, from Lancaster University, has been awarded an SCI Sydney Andrew Scholarship of £3,000 to support his PhD project "Understand and Optimise Solid-Electrolyte Interphase in Lithium-mediated Nitrogen Reduction for Green Ammonia Synthesis".
Dr Sydney Andrew, a brilliant industrial chemical engineer who exemplified the SCI mission of encouraging the application of chemical and related sciences for public benefit, died in November 2011. A life member of SCI, Dr Andrew was awarded the Society’s Medal and a lecture on ‘Neglected Science: a view from industry’. He bequeathed a substantial share of his estate to SCI for the support of scientific innovation on the theme of neglected science. These are areas of science which, though of importance in agriculture and the chemical industry, receive scant attention from academic research, and for academic research into Neglected Science
Here Shaoquan tells us about his work:
"I earned my bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2021 from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. My final-year project focused on constructing PEO-based solid electrolyte for lithium-sulfur batteries. In 2023, I earned my master’s degree from the University of Birmingham, UK, with coursework and research focusing on global energy systems and renewable energy, especially in green hydrogen and energy conversion. During my bachelor’s and master’s studies, I began to develop a strong interest in renewable energy and energy conversion. After completing my master’s, I applied for and was awarded a PhD position at Lancaster University with Dr. Xiao Hua to research ammonia synthesis via lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction.
"My research on lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (LiNR) for ammonia synthesis focuses on the electrode and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). During the process, metallic lithium is deposited on the electrode surface, and the properties of the electrode affect the lithium deposition and influence the morphology of the metallic lithium. It is well recognised that uniform lithium deposition can enhance the performance of LiNR. Thus, part of my project involves modifying the electrode surface to achieve a more uniform lithium deposition and thereby improve LiNR performance for ammonia synthesis. Apart from electrode fabrication, I also leverage this approach to investigate the mechanism of LiNR with the lithium deposition step, providing a deeper understanding of the process.
"Another part of my research focuses on the SEI. Since metallic lithium is deposited on the surface and is highly reactive, it can react with components in the electrolyte, such as the solvent or lithium salt. The products of these reactions form an interphase between the electrode and the electrolyte. This interphase significantly affects the process because it influences mass transport (e.g., lithium ions, proton sources, and nitrogen) required to react with metallic lithium. The interphase may also inhibit further side reactions with metallic lithium. My research focus on the component of the SEI and study how they affects LiNR performance and investigate the mass transport through the SEI."
Shaoquan Li
PhD Student
Lancaster University
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