Amy Marschilok

Fig. 1. Silver vanadium phosphorous oxide

Fig 2.  Diffraction intensity contour plot of discharged Li / SVPO cell

Fig 3.  Oxygen reduction reaction activity of composite (C-cp-Ag), platinum (Pt), carbon (C), and silver free carbon-conductive polymer (C-cp) electrodes

Fig 4.  Scanning electron micrograph of silver nanoparticles on conducting polymer

Scientific and technical advances in energy storage through fundamental chemistry and engineering experimentation framed by specific applications is our overall research paradigm. Prior industrial experience in Battery Research and Development enables development of application-relevant testing methodologies to evaluate our experimental outcomes.

Our research goals center on new material and electrode concepts for high power, high energy density, extended life primary and secondary batteries. Our comprehensive research approach is necessitated by the complex nature of battery science and technology, and is facilitated by collaborations with the E. Takeuchi and K. Takeuchi research groups. Specifically, synthesis, characterization, and electrochemistry of solid state metal oxide and phosphate active materials is a focus area (Figure 1)¹, with an emphasis on facile ion insertion and deinsertion via control of critical structural and physical materials properties.² Further, in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, in-situ and in-operando measurements of some of our battery systems have yielded mechanistic insight into some of the complex chemical and physical processes associated with battery discharge (Figure 2).³ Complementing our the battery materials studies, we have developed new electrode design engineering which reduces passive components and minimizes interfacial resistance.⁴ 

Emerging battery technologies are also of interest.  Metal air batteries offer the opportunity for unprecedented energy density improvements, but require catalysts to address the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode.  Conventional air electrode fabrication strategies position the catalyst particles within the interior of the electrode, limiting catalyst access to oxygen.  We have developed a novel electrodeposition method which generates a conductive composite electrode incorporating a conductive polymer and silver metal catalyst.^5,6 This fabrication method positions the catalyst particles on the exterior of the electrode, providing facile access to oxygen. We have demonstrated high oxygen reduction activity (Figure 3) with low silver loading and have fabricated planar and three dimensionally structured electrodes using this approach (Figure 4).⁷  Further mechanistic studies are currently underway. 

1. Amy C. Marschilok, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Esther S. Takeuchi, “Preparation and electrochemistry of silver vanadium phosphorous oxide, Ag2VO2PO4,” Electrochem. S. S. Lett..  2009, 12(1), A5-A9.
2. Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Shali Z. Yau, Melissa C. Menard, Amy C. Marschilok, Esther S. Takeuchi, “Synthetic control of composition and crystallite size of silver hollandite, AgxMn8O16:  Impact on electrochemistry,” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces.  2012, 4(10), 5547-5554.
3. Esther S. Takeuchi, Amy C. Marschilok, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Alexander Ignatov, Zhong Zhong, Mark Croft, “Energy dispersive x-ray diffraction of lithium-silver vanadium phosphorous oxide cells:  In situ cathode depth profiling of an electrochemical reduction-displacement reaction,” Energy Environ. Sci., 2013, 6, 1465-1470.
4. Amy C. Marschilok, Chia-Ying Lee, Aditya Subramanian, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Esther S. Takeuchi, “Carbon nanotube substrate electrodes for lightweight, long-life rechargeable batteries,”  Energy Environ. Sci.,2011, 4, 2943-2951.
5. Shu Han Lee, Shali Zhu, Christopher C. Milleville, Chia-Ying Lee, Peiwen Chen, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Esther S. Takeuchi, Amy C. Marschilok, “Metal-air electrochemical cells:  Silver-polymer-carbon composite air electrodes,” Electrochem. S. S. Lett., 2010, 13(11), A162-A164.
6. Amy C. Marschilok*, Shali Zhu, Christopher C. Milleville, Shu Han Lee, Esther S. Takeuchi, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, “Electrodes for nonaqueous oxygen reduction based upon conductive polymer-silver composites,” J. Electrochem. Society, 2011, 158(3), A223-A226.
7. Amy C. Marschilok, Shu Han Lee, Christopher C. Milleville, Peiwen Chen, Esther S. Takeuchi, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, “Three-dimensional carbon-conductive polymer-silver composite air electrodes for nonaqueous metal-air batteries,” J. Composite Mater., 2013, 47(1), 33-40.

1. Supervised, trained and/or mentored >50 student researchers (25 female), including co-advisement of 3 Ph.D. students and advisement of 1 M.S. student and 6 undergraduate students.
2. Advancing diversity is the sciences is an area of personal importance to me.  I have volunteered to support efforts aimed at broadening participation, including: 1) Chemistry Instructor: two sessions of the University at Buffalo (SUNY) Center for the Educational Opportunity Program Freshman Summer Bridge Program; 2) Judge: two Preparing for the Professoriate Conferences at the University at Albany (SUNY); 3) Panelist: one statewide and two national conferences aimed at post-baccalaureate achievement; and 4) Presenter: two ethics workshops for the University at Buffalo (SUNY) Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program.

Awards

Woman of Distinction Award, Education Category (2011) – Regional award granted by the Girl Scouts of Western New York.

Early Career Travel Award (2010) – Presented by the Battery Division of the Electrochemical Society.

Leadership Award (2007) – Regional award granted by the Western New York YWCA. 

Visionary of the Year Award (2006) – Presented by the CEO of Greatbatch, Inc.. 

Mattern-Tyler Excellence in Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant -  Awarded by the University at Buffalo Department of Chemistry.

Honors

Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Chapter.

Golden Key National Honor Society