CATHDFENS · CATHode Development For Enhanced iNterfacial Studies (CATH-DFENS)
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-09-01 → 2020-07-04
- EU contribution
- €269,858
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-GF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
CATHode Development For Enhanced iNterfacial Studies (CATH-DFENS)
Li-ion batteries (LIB) possess higher energy densities than many other rechargeable batteries (specific energy 100-150 Wh kg−1) with high availability and proven performance. One of the greatest challenges for improving LIB performance is the development of suitable cathode materials; able to accept and release Li+ ions repeatedly (for recharging) and quickly (for high rate). LIB cathode materials are currently worth EUR 10 B industry and this is predicted to increase in the years to come; so there is a race to find the next commercial-grade cathodes. This has attracted sizable investment from materials manufactures as well and significant interest from the academic sector. Whilst the search continues for new materials, there are real and significant enhancements that can be made to proven technologies and existing materials. It is known that the battery cathode/electrolyte interface is the location of multiple degradation processes which lead to battery failure however as these processes occur on very short length scales and batteries geometries are complex, with multiple materials within close proximity to one another, it is challenging to deconvolute these processes during operations. In this work, simpler model systems are made with defined cathode surfaces. This is done by making very thin films single crystals of commercially used cathodes materials on flat substrates and then studying these surfaces and the interface they have with electrolyte during operation. The proposed research will improve our fundamental understanding of the role of the cathode/electrolyte interface in Li-ion battery degradation, essential to underpin improved battery design and manufacture. With this better understanding, the outputs of the project are to define new processes to improve the cathode surface which can be used commercially for better batteries with improved lifetime. The first 2 years of this work were performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, USA. The UK host institution is University College London where the third and last year will be performed.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Lithium-ion batteries have established themselves as the leading power source for mobile applications, however to meet ever increasing demands in energy density and durability, significant improvements must be realised. Whilst advances in each battery component (anode, electrolyte and cathode) are necessary, the cathode/electrolyte interface remains one of the least understood and least investigated aspects of battery design and thus provides one of the greatest opportunities to improve performance. This interface is the known location of battery degradation processes occurring at the nanometer level, however the use of appropriate investigative techniques to probe these length-scales is made difficult by complicated cathode chemistries and intricate surface geometries. Whilst there have been efforts to create ultra-low roughness (<1 nm) model experimental systems to investigate this scientifically important issue, there has been a lack in progress as to date; these samples have not been directly comparable with real battery systems with limited (or no) cyclability. The work performed in this proposal will overcome these limitations for the first time, utilising novel thin film fabrication techniques to create low surface roughness, thin film cathodes with defined crystal orientation. These films can be cycled in the same way as real electrodes meaning this important work will permit examination of cathode materials by novel scanning probe and synchrotron interfacial characterisation techniques developed at US National Laboratories for the first time. These methods are capable of probing interfacial processes occurring during battery operation with sub-nanometer resolution. The proposed undertaking represents an excellent training opportunity for the researcher; creating strong international academic collaborators and industrial partners which will aid in making him into a prominent European scientist, enabling him to secure a permanent academic position.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON · LondonCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
- THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA · OaklandUnited States
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union