Beth Murdock

Beth Murdoch’s thesis investigates cobalt-free cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are increasingly important, as are batteries more generally, as they are key to leveraging the benefits of sustainable energy resources – enabling energy made by sunlight to be stored for use in night-time for example. But the chemistries of batteries are not sustainable. Constraints on lithium -ion supply, for example, and human rights concerns associated with cobalt mining, are just tow of reasons it is important to develop alternatives. However, the chemistries of these alternatives (LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O­₄, or LNMO), are also limited – primarily by inadequate cycling stability, and these concerns are compounded by general costs associated with production and recycling at end of life. In the thesis, Beth frames her enquiries into chemistry with material social futures framing. Her chemistry entails using cationic substitution with earth-abundant metals (Fe, Mg) as a means whereby to improve the longevity of LNMO cathodes. By exploring the intricate interplay between structure, properties and performance, she is paving the way for advanced cathode design, as well as placing the costs of such a move in bigger picture frames.