Canada Research Chair in Solid State Materials

Prof. Nazar’s research focuses on developing new materials that can store and deliver energy at a high rate. In light of the growing challenges we face this century that include declining oil production, and the realization that we live in a carbon constrained world, alternative energy solutions to petrol must be sought. Prof. Nazar’s work encompasses hydrogen storage and fuel cell catalyst materials, but her focus is on energy storage materials for rechargeable batteries. New-generation electrode materials could enable their implementation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. They are also absolutely vital as reservoirs (ie load-levellers) for intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind power. Although lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art rechargeable power source which has achieved outstanding technological success for portable electronics, if such large-scale systems are to be realized then fundamental innovation in materials is essential.

Her program encompasses complex material synthesis, physical/structural characterization, electrochemical testing and electrode design. Promising new directions particularly lie in nanomaterials. They offer the possibility of moving into the realm of high-capacity systems that operate on the basis of intimate contact of the redox active components. The research employs a range of physical chemistry techniques, including ex-situ and in-situ studies involving X-ray/neutron diffraction, Raman microprobe and NMR spectroscopies, combined with fundamental electrochemical studies used to examine the underlying processes in solids.

Professor Linda Nazar is a faculty member of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, and is cross appointed to the Department of Electrical Engineering. Prof. Nazar, holder of a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Solid State Materials since 2004, has focused her research on developing new materials for energy storage and conversion for the past 15 years. She has published well over 100 papers, review articles and patents in the field, which are cited on average over 125 times each year.

Research Interests:
• Design of nanomaterials for energy storage, conversion and delivery applications
• Materials solid state chemistry and nanotechnology
• Li-ion and lithium batteries; fuel cells; supercapacitors; hydrogen storage materials
• Fundamental solid state chemistry & structure-property relationships
• Mesoporous and nanoporous materials