In this project we focus on porous lyophobic crystalline materials (PLCs) for energy storage.
The first objective is the determination of the dependence of intrusion/extrusion pressure hysteresis on the chemical nature and morphology of the cavities of PLCs. PLCs can store mechanical energy under the form of interface energy: interface energy is accumulated when an external pressure higher than the intrusion pressure forces the non-wetting liquid into the cavities of PLCs and is released when the pressure drops under the extrusion pressure and the liquid returns to its initial state. A difference between the intrusion and extrusion pressures implies an energy loss, which must be minimized to maximize the efficiency of the device. Developing a quantitative theory of the intrusion and extrusion pressure, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of the wetting/dewetting process will allow to design PLC materials with desired properties.
A second objective of the project is the characterization of the degradation of PLC materials with intrusion/extrusion cycles. The use of PLC for energy storage requires the stability of the material at the operative conditions, while empirical evidence shows that the performance of present systems degrades with time. The identification of the degradation mechanism will help to develop novel materials with improved stability.
The research proposed in this project will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team composed by engineering, physics and chemistry experts. The team will combine experiments and simulations, using an array of techniques including porosimetry, XRD, XAS, XES, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, calorimetry, classical and ab initio rare event simulations. The results of this project will help progressing the field of energy storage as well as shading light on fundamental aspects of liquid under extreme confinement.
