Characterization of Sustainable Solid Composite Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries

Lithium ion batteries are under constant attention of researchers all over the world due to their advantages such as high energy density, light weight and cycling performance. However they still struggling from some safety issues associated with potential leakage of electrolyte liquid components, their toxicity and flamability hazards. Lithium passivating layer formation and dendrite growth occuring even in fully solid polymer or ceramic based systems. Combination of a solid filler and a polymer matrix allows to improve solid electrolyte resistance to spherulite growth during battery utilization. However, specific requirements needed to be met to not compromise ionic conductivity while pursuing improvements in mechanical and thermal stability. The research activities include: (I) laboratory training, (II) utilization of electrochemical strain microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy for interpretation of ion pathways in a solid polymer composite electrolyte, (III) data collection and processing, and (IV) results analysis. The expected outcome will be a better understanding of the defined system in order to evaluate the potential results for its application for lithium ion batteries and understand the way of further improvements can be done in solid polymer electrolytes properties.

Faculty Supervisor:

Milana Trifkovic

Student:

Partner:

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Green/Alternative Energy; Clean Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

University of Calgary

Program: