
Advancing Emerging Energy Storage for a Sustainable Future

Welcome to the Xu Research Group! We are a battery research group based in the Chemistry Department of University College London. Our research interest lies in the interface between materials science, electrochemistry, and solid-state chemistry, with a special emphasis on beyond-lithium battery chemistries and materials. There are three research themes in the group: intercalation chemistry of electrode materials, electrodeposition of metal anodes, and ion storage mechanism of conversion cathodes. We aim to use our knowledge and understanding to improve the performance of a range of beyond-lithium batteries.
We are looking for motivated researchers to support their applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. Please send your queries to Dr Yang Xu (y.xu.1@ucl.ac.uk).
News
05/2023 – Harry’s review article of Ca-ion battery anodes is selected as the outside front cover of Materials Advances! A beautiful hand drawn arkwork from Brilliant Ms Qianchen Li.

03/2023 – Congratulations to Harry on his review article of Ca-ion battery anodes accepted by the RSC journal Materials Advances. It’s the first Ca paper of the group!
03/2023 – After more than one year of coordinating, writing and revising, the 2023 K-ion battery roadmap article is finally out online in JPhys Energy (IOP). Co-guest editted by Yang and Prof. Magda Titirici (Imperial) and involving >40 authors and >30 universities/institutions, the roadmap article covers many aspects of K-ion batteries (including a section of Prussian blue analogue cathodes written by Harry and Yang) and is an excellent reference platform for researchers working in the area, regardless of career stage. Have a read of our article and it’s open access!

02/2023 – Yang has won the STFCBatteries Early Career Award 2023. The project will be looking at using non-flammable electrolytes for K-ion batteries.
02/2023 – Matthew, Yudong and Wanjun gave their 1st year talks to their peers and academics. They all did a great job showcasing the diverse researh of beyond lithium batteries at the group!



01/2023 – Ajay’s paper “Enabling intercalation-type TiNb24O62 anode for sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries via a synergetic strategy fo oxygen vacancy and carbon incorporation” has been accepted in SusMat. Congratulations!
01/2023 – Welcome Dr Pan He to join the group as a PDRA! He is funded by the EPSRC “Free-from” project focusing on sustainble battery technologies.
11/2022 – Yang gave an invited talk about using potassium Prussian blue cathodes in hybrid sodium-ion batteries at the STFC Annual Batteries & Electrochemical Energy Devices Meeting 2022.
09/2022 – Welcome three new PhD students Matthew Hopper, Wanjun Ren, and Yudong Luo. More interesting work for Na (Matthew), K (Wanjun) and Ca (Yudong) battery chemistries!