My thesis, defended on october 8th 2019, focuses on the study of the compound AxIrO3 as a versatile host for Li+, Na+ and H+. Its three-dimensional structure represents an interesting playing field for the fundamental study of the redox activity of the anionic network in oxides for Li+ and Na+ ion batteries. The lithiated phase can be obtained by high temperature ceramic synthesis in two stages whereas the sodiated phase could only be obtained electrochemically via IrO3. The protonated phase can be obtained by cation exchange of the lithiated phase or by reaction of water with IrO3. These last two phases had not been previously reported. The insertion processes were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopies to determine the structural changes associated with cationic and anionic oxidation processes. The results obtained allow us to deepen our understanding of a charge compensation mechanism that is still poorly understood. In addition, the study of the reactivity of IrO3 with an acidic aqueous media has made it possible to describe a mechanism for the electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction on the surface of iridium oxides and provides avenues for the development of new electrocatalysts based on iridium.

Research assistant in the Electrochemical Technologies Group in Robert Kostecki's Lab, working on understanding interfacial degradation processes in high voltage Li-ion batteries.

Research assistant working on adsorption kinetics of pharmaceutical compounds on activated carbon.