Linda Nazar

University Professor & Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials

Linda Nazar carries out research in inorganic materials chemistry, solid state chemistry and electrochemistry. Her research is focused on the development of electrochemical energy storage devices and materials.

One of the most interesting aspects of materials chemistry is the design of structures with specific physical properties. Using guided principles, Prof. Nazar’s team synthesizes new materials, determines their structures and investigates their physical properties. She is, in particular, interested in ion and electron transport in materials as these properties are central to solid state electrochemistry and energy storage batteries.

Her group is proficient in a range of methods and fields of investigation including X-ray and neutron diffraction, electrochemistry, ac impedance and solid state inorganic and nanomaterials synthesis.

Linda was recently named an Officer for the Order of Canada in recognition of her excellence in research. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Contact information
Office: QNC 4609
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 84637
Email: lfnazar@uwaterloo.ca
Website: Linda Nazar

Expertise

Solid state electrochemistry
Li-ion, Na-ion, Zn-ion and Mg-ion batteries; Li-S and Li-O₂ batteries
Nanostructured materials
X-ray and neutron diffraction
Energy storage materials

Research

Linda Nazar’s research focus encompasses complex material synthesis, physical and structural characterization, electrochemical testing and electrode design for various energy storage devices. 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.

Teaching

Recent course offerings have included

Transition Element Compounds and Inorganic Materials
Ion and Electron Transport in Solids

Highlighted Publications

Recent publications include

I. Abate, S. Y. Kim, C. D. Pemmaraju, M.F. Toney, W. Yang, T.P. Devereux, W.C. Chueh*, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, The role of metal substitution in tuning anion redox in sodium metal layered oxides revealed by X-ray spectroscopy and theory, Angewandte Chemie, in press. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012205.
P. Adeli, J. D. Bazak, A. Huq, G. Goward*, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Influence of aliovalent cation substitution and mechanical compression on Li-ion conductivity and diffusivity in argyrodite solid electrolytes, Chem. Mater., in press.
K. Kaup, A. Assoud, J. Liu, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Fast Li-ion conductivity in super-adamantanoid lithium thioborate halides, Angewandte Chemie, DOI: 10.1002/anie.202013339, in press.
L. Zhou, C. Y. Kwok, A. Shyamsunder, Q. Zhang, X. Wu, L. F. Nazar,* 2020, A new halospinel superionic conductor for high-voltage all solid state lithium batteries, Energy Environ. Sci, 13, 2056 -2063. DOI: 10.1039/D0EE01017K.
S. Xu, C.Y. Kwok, L. Zhou, Z. Zhang, I. Kochetkov, L. F. Nazar*, 2020, A high energy density all-solid-state Li-S battery enabled by conversion-intercalation hybrid cathode architecture. Adv. Funct. Mater., in press.
S. Kim, L. Yin, M.H. Lee, P. Parajuli, L. E. Blanc, T. Fister, H. Park, B.J. Kwon, B.J. Ingram, P. Zapol, R. F. Klie, K. Kang, S. H. Lapidus, L.F. Nazar*, J. T. Vaughey*, 2020, High voltage phosphate cathodes for rechargeable Ca-ion batteries, 2020, ACS Energy Lett, 5, 3203–3211. 10.1021/acsenergylett.0c01663.
Z. Zhang, H. Li, K. Kaup, L. Zhou, P.N. Roy, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Targeting superionic conductivity at room temperature by turning on anion rotation in fast ion conductors, Matter, 2, 1667-1684. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2020.04.027.
L. Blanc, D. Kundu, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Scientific challenges for the implementation of Zn-ion batteries, Joule, 4, 771-799. DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2020.03.002.
K.-H. Park, K. Kaup, A. Assoud, Q. Zhang, X. Wu, and L. F. Nazar*, 2020, High Voltage Superionic Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Li-Ion Batteries, ACS Energy Lett., 5, 533-539. DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.9b02599.
K. Kaup, J.D. Bazak, S. H. Vajargah, X. Wu, J. Kulisch, G. Goward, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, A lithium oxythioborosilicate solid electrolyte glass with superionic conductivity. Adv. Energy Mater, 10, 1902783. DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201902783.
M Philip, R. T. Haasch, J. Kim, J. Yang, R. Yang, I.R. Kochetkov, L.F. Nazar, A. A. Gewirth*, 2020, Enabling high capacity and coulombic efficiency for Li-NCM811 cells using a highly concentrated electrolyte, Batteries & Supercaps, in press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/batt.202000192.
W. E. Gent*, I. I. Abate, W. Yang, L.F. Nazar, W. Chueh, 2020, Design rules for high-valent redox in intercalation electrodes, Joule, 4, 1369 -1397. DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2020.05.004.
R. Wang, J. Yu, J. Tang, R. Meng, L.F. Nazar, L. Huang, X. Liang, 2020, Insights into dendrite suppression by alloys and the fabrication of a flexible alloy-polymer protected lithium metal anode, Energy Storage Materials, 32, 178-184. DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2020.07.039.
L. Trahey, F. R. Brushett, N. P. Balsara, G. Ceder, L. Cheng, Y.-M. Chiang, N.T. Hahn, B. J. Ingram, S. D. Minteer, J. S. Moore, K. T. Mueller, L. F. Nazar, K.A. Persson, D.J. Siegel, K. Xu, K.R. Zavadil, V. Srinivasan, G. W. Crabtree, 2020. Energy storage emerging: A perspective from the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 117, 12550-12557.
K. Kaup, L. Zhou, A. Huq, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Impact of the Li substructure on the diffusion pathways in alpha and beta-Li₃PS₄: an in-situ high temperature neutron diffraction study, J. Mater. Chem. A., 8, 12446 - 12456. DOI: 10.1039/D0TA02805C.
F. Makhlooghiazad*, M. Sharma, Z. Zhang, P. Howlett, M. Forsyth, L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Stable High Temperature Cycling of Na Metal Batteries Based on Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ and Na₂FeP₂O₇ Cathodes in NaFSI-Rich Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal Electrolytes, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 11, 2092-2210. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c00149.
X. Sun, L. Blanc, V. Duffort and L.F. Nazar*, 2020, Direct Nano-Synthesis Methods Greatly Benefit Mg-Battery Cathode Performance, Small Methods, 4, 2000029. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202000029.
W.-J. Kwak, R. Sharma, D. Sharon, C. Xia, H. Kim, J. Johnson, P. Bruce, L.F Nazar, Y.-K. Sun, A. Frimer, M. Noked, S. Freunberger, D. Aurbach, 2020, Lithium-Oxygen Batteries and Related Systems: Potential, Status and Future, Chem. Rev., 120, 6626 - 6683. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00609.

Please see Linda Nazar's Google Scholar profile for a current list of her peer-reviewed articles.

Patents

L.F. Nazar and S.Y. Kim, Solid lithium ion conducting materials containing ytterbium and process for preparation thereof, joint IP with BASF SE. Eur. Pat 20 202273.7 Filed Oct 16, 2020.
L.F. Nazar and K.H. Park, Inorganic lithium ion conductive solid halide electrolyte and method for producing solid halide electrolyte material, joint IP with BASF SE. Eur. Pat 19 2 827728.7 Filed Nov 07, 2019. PCT/EP2020/081116.
L.F. Nazar, S. Xu, C.Y. Kwok, All solid state lithium sulfur batteries enabled by hybrid cathode architecture, filed July 24, 2020. USPTO #63/103,229.
L.F. Nazar and P. Adeli, Substituted argyrodite solid electrolytes, joint IP with BASF SE, Filed Jan 6, 2020.
L.F. Nazar and K.H. Park, Lithium metal halide solid electrolytes, joint IP with BASF SE. Eur. Pat 19 18 8258.1 Filed Sept 25, 2019.
L. F. Nazar, and L. Zhou, Antimony argryodite solid electrolytes with ultra high ion conductivity, joint IP with BASF SE. Eur. Pat. 19 18 8154.9 Filed July 24, 2019. Secondary PCT filings (EP, CN, JP, KR, and US).
L.F. Nazar, K. Kaup and J. Kulisch, Haloboro-oxysulfide glass solid electrolytes, joint IP with BASF SE June 17, 2019. Eur. Pat. 19 18 0687.6, Filed June 17, 2019. Secondary PCT filings (EP, CN, JP, KR, and US).
L.F. Nazar, C.Y. Kwok and M. Gauthier, Cross-linked binders for cathode binders for Li-S cells, provisional filed by UWaterloo May 24, 2019. USPTO #62/920,942.
L.F. Nazar and L. Zhou, Process for synthesis of solid lithium ion conductor from ethanol solution, joint IP with BASF SE Eur. Pat. 18 19 0512.6, filed Aug 30, 2018. Secondary PCT filings (EP, CN, JP, KR, and US).
L. F. Nazar, B. Adams and D. Kundu, Aqueous Zn-ion batteries using a metallic zinc negative electrode and a composite oxide positive cathode, Provisional #62/230,502, filed June 8, 2015, PCT Electrode materials for rechargeable zinc cells and batteries produced therefrom, PCT/CA2016/050613, filed May 31, 2016; US patent, filed March 23, 2017.
L.F. Nazar and X. Liang, In situ lithium protection for lithium anode batteries, joint IP with BASF SE, Eur. Pat. 16168678.7, filed May 9, 2016.
L.F. Nazar and X. Liang, Core-shell particles comprising elemental sulfur and manganese dioxide for cathodes of lithium sulfur cells and the synthesis of these particles, joint IP with BASF SE, filed July 15^th, 2015.
L.F. Nazar and X. Liang, Composites comprising MXenes for cathodes of lithium sulfur cells, #WO 16012275, joint IP with BASF SE filed July 22, 2014.
L.F. Nazar, and X. Liang, Composites comprising polar inorganics for cathodes of lithium sulfur cells, joint IP with BASF SE, filed June 6^th , 2014.
L.F. Nazar, X. Liang and C. Hart, Composites comprising nanosheets of a transition metal oxide for cathodes of lithium sulfur cells, #WO 2015/150144, joint IP with BASF SE, filed April 1^st, 2014.
T. Song, R. Black, L.F. Nazar, U. Paik, Porous carbon inverse opal structure electrode for Li- air batteries, filed Oct 24, 2013 by E-Sang Patent and Trademark (Korea) and WATCO. Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0127101; joint patent, H01M 4/1393 (2015).
T. Song, H. Park, R. Black, L.F. Nazar, U. Paik, High temperature pyrolyzed carbon nanofibers air electrode for Li-air batteries, filed Oct 24, 2013 by E-Sang Patent and Trademark (Korea) and WATCO. Korean Patent Application No. 2013-0127111, joint patent, H01M 4/133 (2015).
L.F. Nazar, D. Ji, K.T. Lee, M. Richard and K. Stamm, Sulfur-Carbon Material, US Patent 8,173,302, granted May 8, 2012. South Korean Patent 10-1384630, granted April 7, 2014. Australian Patent 2009223442, granted May 15, 2014.
L.F. Nazar, and D. Ji, Curbing Polysulfides in Li-S Cathodes, USA Prov. Application, filed July 2, 2010.
L.F. Nazar, K.T. Lee, Sodium-Ion Battery Cathodes, US Patent Application, filed Oct 2, 2009.
L.F. Nazar, W.M. Makahnouk, B. Ellis, K. Toghill, and Y. Makimura, Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials, US Application patent 11/946,038 filed Nov. 27, 2007.
L.F.Nazar, D.C.S. Souza, V. Pralong, New Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Electrochemical Cells, International PCT/CA02/00016, Filed February 25, 2002, awarded February 25, 2003.

Awards and Distinctions

Material Research Society (MRS) Medal (co-awarded with Yi Cui from Stanford University), 2020
Fellow and Foreign Member of the Royal Society (UK), 2020
Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers 2014 - 2020 (Chemistry and Materials, each year)
Canadian Institute of Canada (CIC) Medal, 2019
Clarivate Analytics' (formerly Thomson-Reuters) Highly Cited Researcher in both the fields of Chemistry and Materials Science, 2018
Finalist, Energy category, World Technology Awards, 2018
Outstanding Performance Award, 2017
Senior Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials, 2004-present
University Professor, 2016
Officer, Order of Canada, 2015
World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds (Thomson-Reuters), 2014
August-Wilhelm-von-Hofmann Lectureship (German Chemical Society), 2013
IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, 2012
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, 2011
International Battery Association Award, 2011
Rio Tinto Alcan Award for Electrochemistry, Canadian Society for Chemistry, 2010
Moore Distinguished Scholar, California Institute of Technology (USA), 2009-10
Electrochemical Society Battery Division Research Award, 2009
Exxon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Exxon Corporate Research Labs, USA, 1984
NSERC Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship (declined), 1984
NSERC Graduate Scholarship, 1978-82
Royal Chemical Society Undergraduate Award, UBC, 1978

University of Waterloo Affiliations

Cross-appointed to the Departments of Electrical and Chemical Engineering
Cross-appointed to the Department of Physics and Astronomy
Member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology

Professional Associations and Service

Member of the Advisory Council, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment,
Princeton University (2020 onwards)
Lead Scientist, Joint Centre for Energy Storage Research, USA (since 2013)
Member of the Directorate, DOE Joint Centre for Energy Storage Research Hub, USA (2013 – present)
Expert Witness, 2020, legal case USA (battery patent infringement and invalidity)
Member of the Scientific International Advisory Board to the French Research Network on Electrochemical Energy Storage (RS2E) (France)
Member of the Advisory Board to Huawei’s WattLab, China
Member of the Scientific Advisory Board to the Israel National Research Centre for Electrochemical Propulsion (INREP)
Member of the Editoral Board, Matter
Member of the Editoral Board, Batteries and Supercaps (Wiley, Germany)
Member of the Editoral Board, Energy & Environmental Science (UK)
Member of the Editoral Advisory Board, ACS Central Science (USA)
Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, IONICS (Germany)
Chair, NSERC Industrial Research Chair Renewal Committee (2017 -2018)