Electrical energy storage based on pyrite and ionic liquids

The main objective of the project is to use pyrite from waste in combination with carbon mats as electrode composites and non-fluorinated ionic liquids as electrolytes in new types of supercapacitors.

Subject description

Interfacial chemistry includes experimental and theoretical aspects of heterogeneous processes at the phase boundary between liquids, solids and gases and the development of new surface-sensitive measurement methods for such studies at the molecular level.

Project description

The main objective of the project is to use pyrite from waste in combination with carbon mats as electrode composites and non-fluorinated ionic liquids as electrolytes in new types of supercapacitors. Pyrite of purity 95-98% and an average particle size of 80-100 microns accumulates to approx. 250 ktonnes per year in Boliden AB's tailings in Aitik. Pyrite streams are considered as unwanted waste, but also as a strategic reserve for possible future applications including electrical energy storage facilities. The use of lignin and biomass for the production of carbon mats as components of electrodes and for the synthesis of non-flammable ionic liquids as electrolytes is a strategic goal for the industrial transition to "greener" economy. Therefore, the use of ionic liquids produced from biomass that are non-flammable electrolytes in combination with pyrite-based electrodes is a combined strategy for "greener" technologies and a more sustainable society.

The PhD student working on this project is Shijil Anamkunnath Nediyirakkal from India. He has a Master in Chemistry from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).

Why did you apply to the SUN Graduate School?

“I am really fascinated by the goal of the SUN Graduate School, in terms of natural resources for the green transition. I think it is my responsibility to be part of this potential platform and make my contribution to a carbon neutral energy economy through societal and industrial transformation.”

SUN's graduate school is composed of an interdisciplinary group of PhD students, what do you think about that?

“The graduate school, which consists of interdisciplinary subjects such as natural sciences, engineering and social sciences, allows me to "think outside the box" and approach my research topic with a new perspective.”

As a PhD student at SUN, how do you hope to contribute to the industrial and societal transition to achieve the SDGs?

“Through my research on "Pyrite-ionic liquid-based electrical energy storage devices", I will work on developing efficient and effective pyrite-based electrodes and non-fluorinated ionic liquid-based electrolytes for battery and supercapacitor applications. I will try to scale up the results from the laboratory to industrial scale production. In this way, I will make my contribution to the industrial and societal transition towards green and carbon-neutral energy storage devices.”

Please tell us something you know about Luleå and northern Sweden:

“After receiving the PhD offer from Luleå University of Technology, I started searching information on YouTube and Google about Luleå. I learned that the summers are cool and the winters are long, freezing cold. I know that Luleå has a long history and that Facebook's data center is located there. I am eagerly waiting to experience Luleå myself.”