Silicon-based Composite Anodes for Application in Sulfidic Solid State Batteries (SilKompAs)

Basic data for this project

Description

In this project, the participating partners from industrial companies and research institutes concentrate on improving anode materials used in batteries. In focus are solid-state batteries as an alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. Batteries with a solid electrolyte currently appear to be an adequate next step in the development of lithium-ion batteries. On the one hand, safety risks associated with a liquid electrolyte are eliminated. On the other hand, it allows the usage of certain high energy density anode materials for which a liquid electrolyte battery does not represent an optimal environment. As a result, while increasing safety, batteries with higher energy densities can be developed. Ideally, lithium metal offers itself as a simple high-energy-density anode material. While the challenges of using metallic lithium in a liquid electrolyte battery are well known, currently available solid electrolytes not optimal: their chemical stability against metallic lithium is insufficient, and the rate stability is not assured. In addition, dendrite growth occurs here at high current densities, which can lead to short circuits. While solutions to deal with for chemical instability seem to be in sight, the morphological problems still offer much room for research. Here, solid-state lithium-ion batteries with a silicon-based anode may be a viable alternative: A very high theoretical capacity can be achieved by using silicon as active material in the anode. Since metallic lithium is not used here, the associated safety risks are reduced at the same time. Processing of the anode materials offers great potential for optimisation. Therefore, the primary goal of the SilKompAs project is to evaluate the potential energy and power density, rate capability, aging and chemomechanical behavior, combined with a critical examination of the practical feasibility and scalability of a silicon-based solid-state battery compared to the variant with lithium metal anodes.