Sodium- and potassium-ion batteries based on highly ordered electrode architectures

• Applicant: Professor Yong Lei, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 398378573

Rechargeable ion batteries have contributed immensely for shaping the modern world and been considered as efficient storage and utilization of intermittent renewable energies. Although lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the market for decades, the potentially rising costs and uneven distribution of global lithium resources have caused concerns on the affordability of LIBs in foreseeable future. This calls for alternative earth-abundant metal-ion batteries. To fulfill the potential of such batteries in the future market, superior battery performance of high capacity, great rate capability, and long lifespan is undoubtedly required. The objective of this project is to develop rechargeable sodium- and potassium-ion batteries (SIBs and PIBs) in both organic and aqueous electrolytes with comprehensively improved full-cell performance. This project proposes three-dimensional architectured arrays as SIB and PIB electrodes and aims at improving electronic conductivity, ion accessibility, and electrode integrity simultaneously. The research foci cover electrode-design and material-design as well as study on electrochemical mechanisms, through which the synergetic effect could be revealed between active materials and their architectured structures. Successful implementation of this project will not only promote the development of the fabrication methodology of SIB and PIB electrodes but also bring remarkable impact to the battery market in future.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants