Excellence in Research: Investigation of Interfacial Chemical and Ion Transport in Solid Inorganic-Polymer Electrolytes

对电化学体系界面离子传输的认识有限，是超高能量密度、高功率密度、安全可靠的先进锂电池发展的主要障碍。这种电池是运输和储存可再生能源电力的广泛电气化所必需的。对复合电解质和电极之间的离子传输和界面反应控制的基本了解将有助于设计出包含更安全的固体聚合物基复合电解质的新界面。在这个项目中，研究人员将研究离子在电解液/电极边界以及陶瓷/聚合物基质之间的传输。该团队将利用几种不同的表征工具来了解材料的属性。参与这一研究项目的学生将在一个对应对全球能源挑战具有重要意义的主题上从事前沿研究。复合聚合物电解质具有承受电极体积随循环变化所需的柔韧性，但在体液中陶瓷与聚合物之间以及复合材料与电极表面之间的离子传输有限。界面电阻导致体离子电导率降低，安全循环速率降低，锂阳极性能变差。

Limited understanding ion transport at the interfaces in electrochemical systems is a major obstacle in the development of safe, reliable advanced lithium batteries with ultra-high energy density and high power-density. Such batteries are needed for the widespread electrification of transportation and storage of renewably generated electricity. Fundamental understanding of ion transport and control of interfacial reactions between a composite electrolyte and electrodes will enable engineering of new interfaces containing safer, solid polymer-based composite electrolytes. In this project, the researchers will investigate ion transport at the boundaries of the electrolyte/electrodes as well as between the ceramic/polymer matrix. The team will utilize several different characterization tools to understand the properties of the materials. The students involved in this research project will be engaged in cutting-edge research on a topic of importance to addressing the global energy challenge. This project will contribute to improving diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce by recruiting and retaining highly qualified students from underrepresented minority groups and engaging these students in cutting-edge research and development in energy storage technologies. The overall collaboration between Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) and the University of Notre Dame (ND) which includes summer visits of undergraduate XULA researchers to the ND research group will enhance the students’ research experiences, promote retention of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields, and enable research not possible by either group individually.Interfacial research is critically needed for designing new solid electrolyte systems with both high bulk ionic conductivity and that is chemically and dimensionally stable against the Li anode with cycling. Composite polymer electrolytes have flexibility necessary to withstand electrode volume changes with cycling, yet ion transport is limited between the ceramic and polymer in the bulk electrolyte and between the composite and the electrode surface. The interfacial resistances lead to reduced bulk ionic conductivities, reduced safely achievable cycling rates, and poor Li anode performance. In this project by researchers at XULA and ND, the interfacial chemistry and ion transport within the system including composite polymer electrolytes and Li anodes will be investigated as a function of polymer type to allow for the fundamental understanding of each chemistry and polymer dynamics on interfacial properties. These studies will test the hypotheses that nanoscale void formation between the electrolyte and anode, as well as between ceramic and polymer matrix, causes roughness and small contact area for ion transport which increases the interfacial resistance, and a lithium deficient layer at the interface leads to the formation of space-charge which also contributes to interfacial resistance. This project is jointly funded by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and the Broadening Participation in Engineering Program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.