The goal of Deva Priya´s doctoral thesis is to develop energy-efficient processes for the carbonization and graphitization of electrodes using microwaves and to compare these with conventional thermal processes. Plasma processes will be investigated to activate and modify the electrode surface to enhance battery performance, depending on the process gases and other carbonization parameters.
The influence of microwave field modes and process parameters (treatment time, microwave power, and frequency) on the degree and structure of carbonization and graphitization of the electrodes will be studied, with the aim of reducing battery costs through process optimization. In addition, the effect of various microwave plasma sources and processes on the surface of carbonized electrodes will be examined. The most promising procedures will be scaled up, and the modified materials will be tested in laboratory cells, in battery prototypes.
