Author: NADEŽDA TRAŠKINA
Dissertation title: Preparation and characterization of active components for aqueous sodium ion insertion batteries
Fields of science: Chemistry N 003
Scientific supervisor: dr. Linas Vilčiauskas
Defence of the dissertation: 1 July 2025
SUMMARY: Aqueous sodium-ion batteries represent a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage applications. This work aims to design, prepare, characterize, and optimize active components specifically for aqueous sodium-ion systems. The electrode fabrication process is systematically developed by studying how preparation parameters influence the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of composite electrodes. In parallel, aqueous electrolytes with enhanced stability and performance are formulated and evaluated using a combination of physicochemical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical techniques. Finally, alternative polymeric binders are investigated, synthesized, and characterized as potential replacements for the current state-of-the-art binders, which raise environmental concerns. The findings of this study offer practical guidance for the development of robust, high-performance composite electrodes for next-generation aqueous sodium-ion batteries.