Professor Andy Xueliang Sun's Advanced Materials for Clean Energy Group Professor Andy Xueliang Sun's Advanced Materials for Clean Energy Group Western University Engineering Logo

Research

Overview of Our Research Interests
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Our research is based on three interrelated aspects, as shown above, including material fabrication, energy device design, and advanced characterization techniques.

1) Batteries: from Liquid to Solid: Our group has a rich experience on the conventional Li-ion batteries, as well as the novel battery systems (such as Li-S, Li-O2, Na-O2 batteries). More recently, we move from conventional liquid-based batteries to the next-generation solid-state batteries (SSBs). Our research on SSBs has focused on several components of the battery system, ranging from the synthesis of the solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to the design and modification of the interface between electrodes and electrolytes, and engineering of novel electrode fabrication processes.

2) Materials: from Nano to Atomic: Our group dedicates to the development and application of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) for energy storage and conversion applications. Various materials, including metal oxides, solid-state electrolytes, noble metal catalysis, are developed and fabricated by ALD/MLD techniques. The ALD/MLD films are further applied to engineer the interface for the different battery systems, such as Li-ion, Li-S, Li-metal, and solid-state batteries. For PEM fuel cells, our group dedicates on the synthesis of the isolated single atoms (even dimer) for noble metal and stabilizing catalysis by ALD/MLD techniques.

3) Advanced Characterizations: from Ex-situ to In-situ: Our group has access to various facilities for regular characterization techniques as well as established connections within the university campus and across the world for more advanced analytical characterization methods. Moreover, several in-situ and in-operand characterization techniques have been developed in our group to monitor the chemical and physical evolution of various battery systems in a real working environment. Up to now, techniques such as in-situ X-ray diffraction, in-situ scanning electron microscopy, and in-situ Raman have been demonstrated by his group. We also have close collaboration with the scientists in different light sources around the world, such as Canadian Light Source, Advanced Photon Source, Advanced Light Source, and Taiwan Photon Source, to develop in-situ synchrotron-based X-ray techniques for energy devices.

Selected Publications

Review articles:

  1. Y. Zhao, K. Adair, X. Sun, Toward Clean Energy Devices: From a Fundamental Understanding to Practical Applications. Matter, 2019, 1, 1119-1126. (Overview of the research in Dr. Sun’ group)
  2. X. Yang, J. Luo, X. Sun. Towards High-Performance Solid-State Li-S Batteries: From Fundamental Understanding to Engineering Designs. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020.
  3. X. Li, J. Liang, X. Yang, K. Adair, C. Wang, F. Zhao, X. Sun. Progress and Perspectives of Halide-based Lithium Conductors for All-Solid-State Batteries. Energy Environ. Sci., 2020.
  4. L. Zhang, K. Davis, X. Sun, Pt-Based electrocatalysts with high atom utilization efficiency: from nanostructures to single atoms. Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 492-517
  5. Y. Zhao, K. Adair, X. Sun, Recent developments and insights into the understanding of Na metal anodes for Na-metal batteries, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 2673-2695
  6. Y. Zhao, K. Zheng, X. Sun, Addressing Interfacial Issues in Liquid-based and Solid-State Batteries by Atomic and Molecular Layer Deposition, Joule, 2018, 2, 2583-2604
  7. Yadegari, X. Sun. Recent Advances on Sodium-Oxygen Batteries: A Chemical Perspective. Acc. Chem. Res., 2018, 51, 1532-1540.
  8. H. Yadegari, Q. Sun and X. Sun, Sodium-Oxygen Batteries: A Comparative Review from Chemical and Electrochemical Fundamentals to Future Perspective. Adv. Mater., 2016, 28, 7065-7093.
  9. J. Wang and X. Sun, Olivine LiFePO4: the Remaining Challenges for Future Energy Storage. Energy Environ. Sci., 2015, 8, 1110-1138
  10. X. Meng, X.‐Q. Yang, X. Sun, Emerging Applications of Atomic Layer Deposition for Lithium‐Ion Battery Studies, Adv. Mater., 2012, 24, 3589-3615

 

Research articles:

  1. P. Yan, J.Zheng, J. Liu, B. Wang, X. Sun, C. Wang, and J. Zhang. Tailoring of Grain Boundary Structure and Chemistry of Cathode Particles for Enhanced Cycle Stability of Lithium Ion Battery. Nat. Energy, 2018, 3, 600-605. (highlighted by June 2018 Battery Science literature review)
  2. X. Li, M. Banis, A. Lushington, X. Yang, Q. Sun, Y. Zhao, C. Liu, Q. Li, B. Wang, W. Xiao, C. Wang, M. Li, J. Liang, R. Li, Y. Hu, L. Goncharova, H. Zhang, T-K Sham, X. Sun, A high-energy sulfur cathode in carbonate electrolyte by eliminating polysulfides via solid-phase lithium-sulfur transformation. Nat. Commun., 2018, 9, 4059.
  3. Y. Liu, J. Liu, J. Wang, M. Banis, B. Xiao, A. Lushington, W. Xiao, R. Li, T-K Sham, G. Liang, X. Sun. Formation of size-dependent conductive phase on lithium iron phosphate during carbon coating. Nat. Commun., 2018, 9, 929. (Highlighted by Canadian Light Source and Green Car Congress).
  4. L. Zhang, R. Si, H. Liu, N. Chen, K. Adair, Z. Wang, J. Chen, Z. Song, J. Li, M.N. Banis, R. Li, T.-K. Sham, L.M. Liu, G. Botton, X. Sun, Atomic Layer Deposited Pt-Ru Dual-Metal Dimers and Identifying the Active Sites of Dimer for High Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 4936
  5. N. Cheng, S. Stambula, D. Wang, M. Banis, J. Liu, A. Riese, B. Xiao, R. Li, T.-K. Sham, L. Liu, G. Botton and X. Sun, Platinum Single-atom and Cluster Catalysis of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Nat. Commun., 2016, 7, 13638.
  6. J. Wang, J. Yang, Y. Tang, J. Liu, Y. Zhang, G. Liang, M. Gauthier, Y. K. Chen, M. Banis, X. Li, R. Li, J. Wang, T. -K. Sham, X. Sun, Size-dependent Surface Phase Change of Lithium Iron Phosphate during Carbon Coating. Nat. Commun. 5 (2014) 3145. (Highlighted by "Western Media Relations" and "The Londoner Local News")
  7. Y. Zhao, M. Amirmaleki, Q. Sun, C. Zhao, A. Codirenzi, L. Goncharova, C. Wang, K. Adair, X. Li, X. Yang, F. Zhao, R. Li, T. Filleter, M. Cai, X. Sun, Natural SEI-Inspired Dual-Protective Layers via Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition for Reliable and Long-life Metallic Lithium Anode, Matter, 2019, 1, 1215-1231.
  8. X. Li, J. Liang, N. Chen, J. Luo, K. Adair, C. Wang, M. Banis, T.-K. Sham, L. Zhang, S. Zhao, S. Lu, H. Huang, R. Li, X. Sun, Water‐Mediated Synthesis of a Superionic Halide Solid Electrolyte, Angew Chem. Int. Ed., 2019, 58, 16427-16432.
  9. K. Adair, C. Zhao, M. Banis, Y. Zhao, R. Li, M. Cai, X. Sun, Highly Stable Li Metal Anode Interface via Molecular Layer Deposition Zircone Coatings for Long Life Next‐Generation Battery Systems, Angew Chem. Int. Ed., 2019, 58, 15797-15802.
  10. X. Li, J. Liang, J. Luo, M. Banis, C. Wang, W. Li, S. Deng, C. Yu, F. Zhao, Y. Hu, T.-K. Sham, L. Zhang, S. Zhao, S. Lu, H. Huang, R.Li, K. Adair, X. Sun, Air-stable Li3InCl6 electrolyte with high voltage compatibility for all-solid-state batteries, Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 2665.
  11. X. Li, J. Liang, X. Li, C. Wang, J. Luo, R. Li, X. Sun, High-performance all-solid-state Li–Se batteries induced by sulfide electrolytes, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 2828-2832.
  12. M.N. Banis, H. Yadegari, Q. Sun, T. Regier, T. Boyko, J. Zhou, Y. Yiu, R. Li, Y. Hu, T-K Sham, X. Sun. Revealing the charge/discharge mechanism of Na-O2 cells by in situ soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 2073-2077.
  13. H. Yadegari, M. Banis, A. Lushington, Q. Sun, R. Li, T.-K Sham and X. Sun*, A Bifunctional Solid-State Catalyst with Enhanced Cycling Stability for Na and Li-O 2 Cells: Revealing the Role of Solid State Catalysts. Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, 10, 286-295.
  14. N. Cheng, M. Banis, J. Liu, A. Riese, S. Mu, R. Li, T.-K. Sham and X. Sun, Atomic-scale enhancement of metal-support interactions between Pt and ZrC for highly stable electrocatalysts. Energy Environ. Sci., 2015, 8, 1450
  15. H. Yadegari, Y. Li, M. Banis, X. Li, B. Wang, Q. Sun, R. Li, T.-K. Sham, X. Cui, X. Sun, On Rechargeability and Reaction Kinetics of Sodium-Air Batteries. Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 3747-3757
  16. X. Li, J. Liu, M. Banis, A. Lushington, R. Li, M. Cai, X. Sun, Atomic Layer Deposition of Solid-State Electrolyte Coated Cathode Materials with Superior High-Voltage Cycling Behavior for Lithium-Ion Battery Application. Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 768-778
  17. X. Li, J. Liang, J. Luo, C. Wang, X. Li, Q. Sun, R. Li, L. Zhang, R. Yang, S. Lu, H. Huang, X. Sun, High-Performance Li-SeSx All-Solid-State Lithium Battery, Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1808100.
  18. X. Yang, X. Gao, Q. Sun, S. Jand, Y. Yu, Y. Zhao, X. Li, K. Adair, L.‐Y. Kuo, J. Rohrer, J. Liang, X. Lin, M. Banis, Y. Hu, H. Zhang, X. Li, R. Li, H. Zhang, P. Kaghazchi, T.‐K. Sham, X. Sun, Promoting the Transformation of Li2S2 to Li2S: Significantly Increasing Utilization of Active Materials for High‐Sulfur‐Loading Li–S Batteries, Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1901220
  19. Y. Sun, Y. Zhao, J. Wang, J. Liang, C. Wang, Q. Sun， X. Lin， K. Adair, J. Luo D. Wang R. Li M. Cai T‐K Sham, X. Sun, Novel Organic “Polyurea” Thin Film for Ultra-Long-life Lithium Metal Anode via Molecular Layer Deposition. Adv. Mater., 2018, 31, 1806541.
  20. J. Liang, X. Li, Y. Zhao, L. Goncharova, G. Wang, K. Adair, C. Wang, R. Li, Y. Zhu, Y. Qian, L. Zhang, R. Yang, S. Lu, X. Sun*, In-Situ Li3PS4 Solid-State Electrolyte Protection Layers for Superior Long Life and High Rate Li-Metal Anodes. Adv. Mater., 2018, 30, 1804684.
  21. C. Zhao, C. Yu, M. Zhang, H. Huang, S. Li, B. Wang, X. Han, X. Sun, and J. Qiu, Ultrahigh Rate and Long-Life Sodium-Ion Batteries Enabled by Engineered Surface and Near-Surface Reactions. Adv. Mater., 2018, 30, 1702486.
  22. B. Xiao, H. Liu, J. Liu, Q. Sun, B. Wang, K. Kaliyappan, Y. Zhao, M. Banis, Y. Liu, R. Li, T-K Sham, G. Botton, M. Caid and X. Sun, Nanoscale Manipulation of Spinel Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide Surface by Multisite Ti Occupation as High Performance Cathode. Adv. Mater. , 2017, 29, 1703764.
  23. Y. Zhao, L. Goncharova, A. Lushington, Q. Sun, H. Yadegari, B. Wang, W. Xiao, R. Li, X. Sun., Superior Stable and Long-Life Sodium Metal Anodes Achieved by Atomic Layer Deposition. Adv. Mater., 2017, 29, 1606663.
  24. J. Liu, M. Banis, Q. Sun, A. Lushington, R. Li, T.-K Sham, X. Sun, Rational Design of Atomic Layer Deposited LiFePO4 as High Performance Cathode for Lithium Ion Batteries. Adv. Mater., 2014, 26, 6472-6477
  25. N. Cheng, M. Banis, J. Liu, A. Riese, X. Li, R. Li S. Ye, S. Knights and X. Sun, Extremely stable platinum nanoparticles encapsulated in zirconia nanocages by area-selective atomic layer deposition for oxygen reduction reaction. Adv. Mater., 2015, 27, 277.
  26. F. Zhao, J. Liang, C. Yu, Q. Sun, X. Li, K. Adair, C. Wang, Y. Zhao, S. Zhang, W. Li, S. Deng, R. Li, Y. Huang, H. Huang, L. Zhang, S. Zhao, S. Lu, X. Sun, A Versatile Sn‐Substituted Argyrodite Sulfide Electrolyte for All‐Solid‐State Li Metal Batteries, Adv. Energy Mater., 2020, 1903422
  27. J. Liang, X. Li, Y. Zhao, L. Goncharova, W. Li, K. Adair, M. Banis, Y. Hu, T.‐K. Sham, H. Huang, L. Zhang, S. Zhao, S. Lu, R. Li, X. Sun, An Air‐Stable and Dendrite‐Free Li Anode for Highly Stable All‐Solid‐State Sulfide‐Based Li Batteries, Adv. Energy Mater., 2019, 9, 1902125.
  28. X. Li, Z. Ren, M. Banis, S. Deng, Y. Zhao, Q. Sun, C. Wang, X. Yang, W. Li, J. Liang, X. Li, Y. Sun, K. Adair, R. Li, Y. Hu, T.-K. Sham, H. Huang, L. Zhang, S. Lu, J. Luo, X. Sun, Unravelling the Chemistry and Microstructure Evolution of Cathodic Interface in Sulfide-Based All-Solid-State Li-Ion Batteries, ACS Energy Lett., 2019, 4, 2480.
  29. Y. Zhao, L. Goncharova, Q. Zhang, P. Kaghazchi, Q. Sun, A. Lushington, B. Wang, R. Li, X. Sun, Inorganic-organic Coating via Molecular Layer Deposition Enables Long Life Sodium Metal Anode. Nano Lett., 2017, 17, 5653-5659.
  30. X. Li, A. Lushington, Q. Sun, W. Xiao, J. Liu, B. Wang, Y. He, K. Nie, Y. Hu, Q. Xiao, R. Li, J. Guo, T.-K. Sham and X. Sun, Safe and Durable High-Temperature Lithium-sulfur Batteries via Molecular Layer Deposited Coating. Nano Lett., 2016, 16, 3545-3549.