(4hk) Application of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Methodologies to Elucidate Charge Storage Mechanisms and Ion Interactions for Energy Storage Systems and Beyond

Our modern world increasingly relies on electrochemical energy storage devices, yet progress in terms of energy density has stalled due, in part, to the challenges associated with the use of a metallic anode in rechargeable alkali-based battery systems. Deleterious side reactions, among other challenges, that occur in metal-anode batteries are magnified versus the common Li-ion battery and fundamental understanding of the processes occurring in situ or operando is needed to rationally design lasting, high-energy-density batteries. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful, non-invasive tool for molecular-level analysis and, under the correct conditions, can also offer powerful spatial and temporal resolution enabling operando studies of developing systems. The marriage of electrochemistry with solid- and solution-state NMR methodologies is a combination infrequently found yet is suited to investigate energy systems with chemical specificity. Beyond batteries, magnetic resonance approaches can be used to quantify and visualize chemical engineering fundamentals, such as transport phenomena and solute partitioning, providing an excellent foundation for engineering education.

Research Interests

I am an NMR spectroscopist with expertise in the domains of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. My work to date has centered around investigating molecular-level reaction processes and charge storage mechanisms in various battery systems,^1–5 including lithium metal⁴ and aluminum^1–3. More recently, I have extended these approaches to studying ion transport in polymers, water, and membranes.^6,7 I believe that the pursuit of improving electrochemical energy systems begins with understanding the working principles and failure mechanisms of their fundamental processes. This insight can be obtained by carefully tracking the species of interest to follow reaction processes, movement of active ions, and formation of parasitic side products, all of which can be done with NMR spectroscopy. Specifically, this rare combination of NMR techniques with electrochemical methods to connect atomic-scale interactions with bulk electrochemical properties offers profoundly sensitive feedback and can additionally be applied to studying other non-equilibrium phenomena, such as operando macroscale transport across liquid junctions and membranes. This research program reflects my multidisciplinary background, intersecting materials science, chemical engineering, and physical chemistry, and specific topics of interest include investigating novel electrode materials (e.g., inorganic, organic, and polymeric electrode materials), improving understanding of solid and liquid electrolytes (ion transport and exchange), and new approaches to battery recycling. Using NMR spectroscopy, I have been able to deconvolute complex processes involving ion transport and structural changes in a range of materials, providing a unique, local understanding otherwise inaccessible to other techniques. The niche application of NMR techniques in concert with advanced electrochemical methods⁸ makes me well-positioned to study electrochemical systems at multiple length scales, both ex situ and operando, enabling me to offer unique perspectives and contributions to the field.

Teaching Interests

With the increasing drive for electrification, applied electrochemistry and NMR spectroscopy are an increasingly valuable combination of skills. Application of techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are cornerstone techniques for energy materials research.⁸ Electrochemistry also teaches the core competencies for chemical engineering education: thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transport. Application of theoretical knowledge to real-world experiments allows students to fully engage with the material. Increasingly important to modern science and engineering is the ability to write cogent, efficient codes capable of completing complex and/or repetitive tasks. My teaching will therefore comprise three major threads: (i) learning about applied electrochemical techniques; (ii) the methodical analysis of data and efficient coding; (iii) the integration of spectroscopic techniques to electrochemical methods, connecting chemistry to device performance. Such an approach gives students practical abilities that can be employed in their own research while also empowering students to be in control of their data.

I aim to develop a multidisciplinary team that would be interested in cultivating an attitude for approachable and accessible science through careful documentation of procedures, guides for experimental setup, and explanations of technique information content. Based on my strong professional network of academic and industrial contacts, coupled with my experience of teaching hands-on classes, presenting pedagogical NMR seminars, and mentoring and training numerous PhD students, I believe I am well equipped to both teach and lead a successful research program.

1 L. W. Gordon, A. L. Jadhav, M. Miroshnikov, T. Schoetz, G. John and R. J. Messinger, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2022, 126, 14082–14093.

2 L. W. Gordon, J. Wang and R. J. Messinger, Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 2023, 348, 107374.

3 L. W. Gordon, R. Jay, A. L. Jadhav, S. S. Bhalekar and R. J. Messinger, ACS Mater Lett, 2024, 2577–2581.

4 J. Zhang, J. Shi, L. W. Gordon, N. Shojarazavi, X. Wen, Y. Zhao, J. Chen, C.-C. Su, R. J. Messinger and J. Guo, ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2022, 14, 36679–36687.

5 B. E. Hawkins, T. Schoetz, L. W. Gordon, S. Kt, J. Wang and R. J. Messinger, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2023, 14, 2378–2386.

6 O. M. Leung, L. W. Gordon, R. J. Messinger, T. Prodromakis, J. A. Wharton, C. Ponce de León and T. Schoetz, Adv Energy Mater, 2024, 202303285.

7 J. T. Bamford, S. D. Jones, N. S. Schauser, B. J. Pedretti, L. W. Gordon, N. A. Lynd, R. J. Clément and R. A. Segalman, ACS Macro Lett, 2024, 13, 638–643.

8 T. Schoetz, L. W. Gordon, S. Ivanov, A. Bund, D. Mandler and R. J. Messinger, Electrochim Acta, 2022, 412, 140072.