Start date: January 2020
Subject areas: Electrochemical Energy Storage, Batteries, Solid state Batteries
Project description:
The development of safe and cost-effective high energy density all-solid-state lithium batteries can realize the dream of the sustainable road transport system. Mainly two reasons are driving research on such systems. First, the state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with liquid electrolytes (LEs) pose safety and reliability issues due to their flammability and instability under harsh conditions. Second, the use of Li metal as an anode is not possible at the moment which limits the energy density of the batteries. In this regard, solid electrolytes (SEs) exhibit several advantages: SEs suppress Li dendrite formation, non-flammable and enable high power density for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Despite their obvious advantages, the use of SSBs is currently delayed by the limited availability of stable and high performant Li+ transporting SEs.
The project will focus on key challenges via two routes. Selected Li+ transporting SEs will be modified suitably to attain increased interfacial stability and to reduce the grain boundary resistance. In a second approach, novel Li-containing fluoride compounds with high stability will be screened, and selected systems will be developed for enhanced Li+ conductivity and integration in solid-state battery cells.
This PhD offers an exciting opportunity for applicants to develop expertise in the fields of solid-state ionics and solid-state batteries.
Project supervisors: Dr Anji Reddy Munnangi and Professor Serena Margadonna
Available resources/facilities: All required lab facilities