Fundamental developments of lithium-oxygen and lithium-sulphur batteries by using redox mediators

运输电气化、可再生能源的大规模储能和消费者便携式设备等应用都需要廉价、安全、高能量的电池。锂氧电池和锂硫电池是非常有前途的候选者，因为它们有可能比目前相同重量和体积的锂离子电池储存5倍以上的能量。目前，锂氧和锂硫电池的性能受到几个基本挑战的限制。该项目将开发一种基于实验的对潜在过程的物理化学理解，并将开发量身定制的解决方案来克服这些问题。我们的方法是从根本上改变反应机制，以提高电池的性能。能够转移多个电子的均相催化剂将被探索，目的是消除有问题的反应中间体。这不仅可以提高反应动力学，而且可以抑制降解反应。为实现均相催化剂的超快电荷传输，将开发新型电解质。还将探索新的锂保护方法，旨在抑制锂电极上的不良反应，并提高这些电池的安全性。总而言之，该项目旨在基于全面的机械理解和量身定制的创新方法，实现可充电锂电池的阶段性变化。

Cheap, safe and high-energy batteries are required for applications such as the electrification of transport, the large-scale storage of energy from renewable resources and consumer portable devices. Lithium-oxygen and lithium-sulphur batteries are very promising candidates because they have the potential to store more than 5 times higher energy than today's lithium-ion batteries of the same weight and volume. Currently, the performance of lithium-oxygen and lithium-sulphur batteries is limited by several fundamental challenges. This project will develop an experimental-based physical-chemical understanding of the underlying processes and will develop tailored solutions to overcome these problems. Our approach will be to fundamentally change the reaction mechanism in order to boost battery performance. Homogeneous catalysts capable of transferring several electrons will be explored with the aim of eliminating problematic reaction intermediates. This is expected to not only enhance reaction kinetics but also to suppress degradation reactions. Novel electrolytes will be developed which are designed to provide ultrafast charge transport of the homogeneous catalysts. Novel lithium protection approaches will also be explored, which are designed to suppress unwanted reactions on the lithium electrode as well as enhancing the safety of these batteries.In conclusion, this project aims to achieve a step change in rechargeable lithium batteries based on a full mechanistic understanding and tailored innovative approaches.