Education

Martino Airoldi obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry/Chemistry from the University of Fribourg in June 2017 and his M.Sc. in Chemistry and Physics of Soft Materials from the Adolphe Merkle Institute (University of Fribourg) in June 2019. In May 2024, he earned his Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Ullrich Steiner, successfully defending his thesis titled "Advancing Lithium-Metal Anode Batteries through Electrode Surface Engineering: An Exploration of Mechanism, Optimization, and Application."

Research

During his master's studies, he investigated a PEO-based solid polymer-network electrolyte, focusing on the interplay between ionic conductivity and the network's chemical composition. His research aimed to balance the antagonistic properties of ionic conductivity and mechanical properties by incorporating a high Tg monomer component to tune the Young's modulus. The objective was to identify the optimal chemical composition for the electrolyte to ensure long-term electrochemical stability during galvanostatic cycling. For his Ph.D. projects, he conducted an impedance spectroscopic study to understand the relationship between ionic conductivity and the directional interfacial orientation of PS-b-PEO nanostructured block copolymer electrolytes. By modifying the electrode material and surface engineering, he was able to disentangle various ionic conductivity mechanisms within the polymer electrolyte. Additionally, he collaborated with Dr. José Berrocal (ICIQ) to apply a controlled organic/inorganic passivation layer onto a lithium metal anode; therefore, implementing this approach in both liquid electrolyte and polymer network and block-copolymer electrolytes.

Inorganic-polymer hybrid and nanostructured materials

Publications