New solid electrolyte architecture for lithium metal based battery

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Our three year project aims to develop new all-solid-state batteries to be used in electrical vehicles (EVs) and**portable technologies with high energy density and long term stability, by using lithium metal as negative**electrode. Metallic lithium is an ideal anode material since it has the highest theoretical capacity (3860 mA/g)**and the lowest electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs NHE). However, it is not yet widely used in commercial**applications due to its high chemical reactivity. During battery cycling using standard liquid electrolyte the**liquid electrolyte may degrade, thereby limiting the lifetime of the battery. In addition, some inhomogeneities**of solid electrolyte interface can cause uncontrolled dendrite formation during the deposition of lithium metal.**This side reaction can be the cause of dangerous short-circuits for the battery. A solid electrolyte based on a**ceramic as lithium ionic conductor physical barrier may address this challenge. First we will explore new solid**state synthesis of superionic ceramic solid electrolytes by using a hot-press method that is able to heat (up to**1500° C) and press (up to 25 tons/cm2) the precursors, at the same time obtaining highly dense solid electrolyte**pellets. In parallel we will investigate new chemical (e.g. solution drop-by-drop deposition) and physical**methods (e.g. metal sputtering) that can protect lithium metal from possible side reactions with our new**materials. Then we will prepare new highly dense composites by mixing different cathode materials (at first**standard LiFePO4 and high energy LiNiMnCoO2) and new superionic ceramic solid electrolytes in a hot press**machine. These new sandwich like composites will be tested in a full cell using protected lithium metal as**negative electrode. The batteries will be optimized for operation at room temperature. Finally we will**investigate a new class of polymer-in-ceramic which will make the battery flexible.