Paramagnetic catalysts and battery materials

People working with me on this project at CRMN: T. Robinson (PhD student), J. Koppe (post-doc), W. Papawassiliou (post-doc), A. J. Pell (Pr ENS Lyon).

Collaborators: Dr. D. Proriol, Dr. Pierre-Alain R. Breuil et Dr. Anne-Agathe Quoineaud (IFPEN, Solaize, FR); Dr. Vincent Monteil et Dr. Jean Raynaud (C2P2 Lyon, FR); Pr. C. Coperet et Pr. G. Jeschke (ETH Zürich, CH); Pr. S. Kaskel (TU Desden, DE) et Pr. F. Wisser (U. Regensburg, DE); Pr. R. J. Clément (UC Santa Barbara, USA); Pr. C. P. Grey (Univ. Cambridge, UK).

We are pioneering new methodologies to overcome the primary challenges (low sensitivity, limited resolution, and obscured observation near metal centers) that hinder spectral acquisition of paramagnetic nuclei, aiming to maximize the structural insights we can extract from these systems by translating paramagnetic effects into distinct structural features. This includes developing innovative RF irradiation schemes to manage strongly anisotropic, rapidly relaxing paramagnetic signals [see also: Broadband MAS NMR] and integrating the latest computational approaches. Our new methods have been tested and implemented on metal-organic frameworks [Angew Chem Int Ed 2021, 60, 21778], catalysts [Organometallics 2017, 36, 605; J Am Chem Soc 2021, 143, 9791; RSC Adv 2021, 11, 29870–29876], and Li-ion and Na-ion battery materials, each containing metal centers with distinct paramagnetic properties (FeII/III, MnII, CuII, and CoII).

See: Pell et al. Progr Nucl Magn Reson Spectrosc, 2019, 111, 1; Burcher et al. Organometallics 2017, 36, 605; Ashuiev et al. J Am Chem Soc 2021, 143, 9791; Blahut et al. RSC Adv 2021, 11, 29870; Ashuiev et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2024, 26, 8734; Bassey et al. Chem Mater 2023, 35, 10564; J. Koppe et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024, e202420435.