Fundamental Studies on Lithium-Ion Batteries with High Specific Energy Density

Basic data for this project

Description

This project will combine the experiments and theory methods to study the new generation of high-capacity positive electrode materials Li2(M1/M2)O3 (M1, M2 = Mn, Ru, Ni, Co, etc.) and compatible electrolytes for Li-ion batteries, construct and develop novel Li-ion battery system with high specific energy density. We will do controllable synthesis of the target materials with nano-composite structure via designing and optimizing materials synthesis methods, and explore the compatible high-voltage electrolyte systems. The electrochemical performance of the materials and corresponding electrolytes will be investigated systematically with different techniques. The electrochemical reaction mechanisms and the relationship between material structure and performance will also be characterized by different advanced techniques (such as in situ synchrotron radiation-based XRD, hard & soft X-ray absorption techniques, solid state NMR and on line mass spectroscopy) combining with first-principles calculations. We expected to get information and more understanding of crystal and local structural evolution, ionic valence changes and cation/anion ordering, oxygen evolution and interfacial properties etc. It is believed that such information and data will deepen our understanding of equilibrium relationship between O2- and O(2-m)-, utilization scale of new anionic redox process. These results will impact the future R&D of new generation of positive electrode materials and the compatible high-voltage electrolyte systems, finally the Li-ion batteries with high-energy density.