Advanced Materials Design for High-Energy and Reliable Lithium-Ion Batteries

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Next-generation lithium-ion battery (LIB) technologies play a critical role as renewable energy storage systems and clean power sources addressing fast depletion of fossil fuels and severe deterioration of environment. Conventional LIBs are approaching their capacity limit. A breakthrough is eagerly awaited in boosting the energy and ensuring the safety of LIBs towards applications of electric vehicles, portable electronics, and large-scale grid energy storage. Therefore, the LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE of the proposed research program is to develop novel all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with high energy and reliability. Advanced energy materials have a profound impact on battery technologies. The successful development of novel all-solid-state LIBs requires new energy materials and understanding of them in terms of ions/electrons transfer, charge separation, redox reactions happening within the electrode or at the interface of electrode and electrolyte. Electrode and electrolyte materials are essential in determining the electrochemical performance of LIBs including specific/areal capacity, working voltage, cyclability, rate capability, and safety. Hence, the SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES (next 5 years) of this research program are: (i) to design and develop novel electrode/electrlyte materials with desired morphology and structure, including new Li-rich cathode materials with high specific capacity and cycling stability, solid-state electrolyte with excellent Li+ transport properties, and Li metal anode material with modified surface; (ii) to study and analyze the electrochemical behaviors of these new energy materials, including Li+ insertion/de-insertion phenomena and the ion transport within solid-state electrolyte at the molecular level, as well as the surface and interfacial effect; (iii) to correlate the electrochemical behaviors with the microstructure and nanoarchitecture of these energy materials, including physico-chemical properties, pore structure, morphology, crystal structure, composition, and interfaces. The result will be used to further modify the design strategies for better energy materials. Special focus will be given to understand electrochemical behaviors by correlating the performance with materials properties. This research program will provide top-leveled HQP training in broad areas spanning materials science, nanotechnology and clean energy technologies. The execution of this research will create many opportunities for global collaborations with researchers, industrial partners and investors. The success of this research program will not only benefit related industries such as battery, electronics, automobile, and manufacturing, but also create both short- and long-term jobs, which positions Canada as a leader in the rapidly growing markets. The realization of all-solid-state LIB technologies will reduce greenhouse gas emission, providing significant social and environmental benefits to all Canadians.