Nanoscale Design of Battery Electrodes for Optimized Performance and Lifetime

电极结构的作用在文献中的研究很少，但纳米结构电极在原理上提供了许多优点，包括更快的充电速度和更高的能量容量。然而，它们受到其大表面积的限制，这导致了热力学界面的不稳定，并可能为与电解液发生不必要的反应创造局部“热点”。该项目将探索克服这些挑战的策略，同时提供纳米架构系统的好处。特别是，作为更大计划合作的一部分，它将专注于为钠离子阳极准备增强的、设计的界面。关键活动将是：-设计。预先设计的界面的开发将防止不可逆转的损失，稳定小特征，并提高对电极-电解液界面处理的理解。预接枝/反应目标中间相，使用还原驱动化学(在Imperial首创)提供了一种生产稳定材料的方法-表征。将使用Imperial开发的用于国家设施的原位电化学池来研究电极和界面的稳定性。从长远来看，稳定的界面将使未来一系列纳米结构电极的开发成为可能，包括-拓扑优化的结构以解决相互冲突的离子/电子/机械需求-使用连续、坚固的导电框架气凝胶来支持新的和/或具有挑战性的化学

The role of electrode structure has been poorly explored in the literature, but nanostructured electrodes in principle offer many advantages including faster charging and higher energy capacity. They are however, limited by their large surface area which drives thermodynamic interfacial instability, and may create local 'hot spots' for unwanted reactions with the electrolyte. This project will explore strategies to overcome these challenges, whilst delivering the benefits of nano-architectured systems. In particular it will focus on the preparation of enhanced, designed interfaces for sodium-ion anodes, as part of a larger intended collaboration. The key activities will be:-Design. The development of pre-designed interfaces will prevent irreversible loss, stabilise small features, and improve understanding of electrode-electrolyte interfaces-Processing. Pre-grafting / reacting targeted interphases, using reductively driven chemistry (pioneered at Imperial) provides a route to produce stable materials-Characterisation. The stability of both electrode and interphase will be studied using in situ electrochemical cells developed by Imperial for use at National facilitiesIn the longer term, stabilised interfaces will enable a range of nanostructured electrode developments in the future, including-topologically optimised architectures to resolve conflicting ion/electron/mechanical demands-use of continuous, robust conductive framework aerogels to support new and/or challenging chemistries