On the afternoon of 20 March 2026, at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), researcher Vũ Tấn Phát successfully defended a doctoral thesis at the institutional level in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. The research is entitled: “Study on the synthesis and electrochemical characterisation of silica-based materials for use as negative electrodes in Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion rechargeable batteries”, conducted under the academic supervision of Associate Professor Trần Văn Mẫn and Associate Professor Lê Mỹ Loan Phụng.

The thesis focuses on the development of SiO₂-based materials for negative electrodes in Li-ion and Na-ion rechargeable batteries, aiming to overcome limitations such as low electrical conductivity, significant volume expansion, and the poor stability of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer. On this basis, the researcher successfully synthesised C/SiO₂ material from rice husk biomass using chemical activation methods, creating a porous, low-cost, and environmentally friendly structure. Modifying the material with graphene and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) facilitated the formation of a continuous conductive network, significantly improving ion diffusion and electrochemical performance.

Research results indicate that the materials achieve high capacity, stable Coulombic efficiency exceeding 98%, and excellent rate capability. Simultaneously, the electrolyte system was optimised with LiPF₆ salt and FEC additives for high electrochemical stability, contributing to enhanced battery performance. These materials were subsequently utilised to assemble full-cells and pouch cells, demonstrating stable operation and good capacity retention over numerous charge-discharge cycles, thus proving the potential for practical application.

Furthermore, the thesis investigated a novel material, Mn₇O₈SiO₄, featuring a stable structure and superior ion storage capacity, opening avenues for the development of next-generation electrode material systems. These findings not only contribute to enhancing the efficiency of SiO₂  materials but also move towards the development of sustainable energy storage solutions by utilising biomass sources and promoting a circular economy.

The Examination Board highly commended researcher Vũ Tấn Phát for the scientific value and practical applicability of the thesis, noting that the candidate exceeded all doctoral training requirements. During the research process, the candidate published 11 scientific works, including 9 international publications (7 as lead author), 1 domestic journal article, and 1 patent, confirming outstanding research capacity and academic contribution. The results achieved by the thesis provide a further scientific foundation for the development of silica-based electrode materials, whilst offering prospects for application in next-generation rechargeable battery systems, aligning with global trends in green and sustainable energy development.