Eman M. Alhajji
Ph.D. Candidate supervised by Prof. Husam Alshareef

Zoon Link:  https://kaust.zoom.us/j/92069579134

ABSTRACT: The increasing mandate to transition power generation from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, combined with the growing electrification, has significantly boosted the demand for advanced energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the market in a full spectrum of applications since its breakthrough in commercialization by Sony in 1991. Nonetheless, LIB’s cost, safety, and somewhat limited energy density and material sources make it necessary to develop battery materials that use more abundant elements such as sodium, potassium, aluminum, silicon, and calcium. Yet, the realization of such alternative technologies is difficult to meet using conventional carbon materials. In this thesis, state-of-the-art energy storage devices based on three-dimensional porous carbon materials, namely laser scribed graphene (LSG), are developed. The proposed strategies involve optimizing the synthesis process and properties of 3D carbon nanomaterials by laser irradiation due to its multifunctionality, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity. We have innovatively developed doped and composite nanomaterials for sodium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and silicon-based lithium-ion batteries. This type of 3D graphitic carbon offers several advantages, including (1) binder-free self-supported electrode configuration, (2) high electrical and ionic conductivity, (3) hierarchical porosity, and (4) controllable composition upon laser exposure. Finally, we conclude by giving future perspectives and outlooks for developing this class of carbon materials to advance the field of batteries beyond conventional  LIB technology