Abstract: Technologies like Li-ion battery (LIB) energy storage and beyond-Si semiconductor technologies at scales ranging from industrial installations to the phones in our pockets have become an increasingly important aspect of modern life. Their explosive growth, however, has led to new challenges to overcome. Increasing use of LIBs has led to concerns with material supply chains, battery safety and fundamental material-driven performance limitations. Similarly, the critical minerals (e.g., Ga, In) that are used in advanced semiconductor technologies also face supply chain concerns that must be addressed. Our group leverages fundamental and applied electrochemical research to help solve these and other challenges facing our nation. 

In my presentation, I will begin by discussing our research into a family of metal mixed chalcogenides, nickel sulfoselenides, and explore their use as electrocatalysts in rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). ZABs use earth-abundant and non-flammable materials to store energy, making them exciting for use in grid storage applications. Our work shows that controlling the ratio of S/Se in these materials influences their electrocatalytic performance, and thus allows for improved battery performance. In the second part of the talk, I will discuss our recent work in the development of an electrochemical method for recovering Ga from semiconductor manufacturing waste. I will discuss how electrochemical redox reactions can be used to replace strong acids in chemical leaching processes while simultaneously leveraging electrochemical specificity to selectively collect specific products from complex leachate solutions. Together, these projects provide a broad overview of the ways that electrochemistry can be used to support our modern world.

Biography: Dr. Bryan R. Wygant received his B.S. in chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2014 and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020. At UT-Austin, he studied electrochemical materials for energy storage and production with Dr. C. Buddie Mullins, focusing on electrochemical water splitting and perovskite photovoltaics. After receiving his Ph.D., Wygant joined Sandia National Laboratories as a postdoctoral appointee, working with Dr. Timothy N. Lambert to study advanced cathode materials for batteries. Since becoming a senior member of technical staff at Sandia in 2023, Wygant has continued to explore how electrochemistry and materials can be used to solve important problems related to energy storage. His group explores such topics as earth-abundant electrocatalysts for alkaline Zn-air batteries, the safety of emerging Li-ion battery chemistries and advanced recycling techniques for battery and semiconductor materials, among other projects.