Master student for "organic PANI/cellulose cathodes for aqueous Zn-ion batteries"

23.02.2026, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

We're looking for a Master student interested in working in the AquaCell group.

With the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II) in Garching near Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) operates one of the most powerful and modern neutron sources. TUM‘s leading scientific position in the field of research with neutrons is underpinned by its cooperation with the Jülich Research Centre and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon within the framework of the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ).

Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer with high capacity and rate capability, making it a promising cathode material for safe, water-based Zn-ion batteries. However, its interaction with water critically affects long-term stability and performance. By integrating cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), the electrode’s mechanical integrity and hydration behavior can be precisely tuned. This Master’s project explores these effects using advanced neutron and x-ray scattering techniques to develop stable, high-performance organic cathodes in collaboration with DESY, KTH (Stockholm, Sweden), and ILL (Grenoble, France).

Your tasks:
Fabrication of PANI/cellulose films (blade- and spray-coating)
Assembly of full-stack batteries (cathodes, liquid or hydrogel-based electrolyte, Zn-anode)
Electrochemical analysis (cyclic voltammetry, charging/discharging cycles)
In-operando neutron experiments (SANS): How is the cathode structure changing upon cycling the battery?

Your skills:
You are a chemist or physicist or engineer?
You have a background in electrochemistry and/or scattering techniques and/or polymer physics?
You have fun working with friendly nerds and big machines?

Contact me!

Kontakt: lucas.kreuzer@frm2.tum.de