Elastic and Self-Healing Artificial Interphases for Beyond-Lithium-Ion Batteries

锂金属电池具有更高的能量密度，是一种很有前途的电池技术。然而，它们的应用受到快速降解和潜在安全问题的阻碍。电池工作过程中电极-电解质界面的退化是新兴超锂离子电池面临的主要挑战之一。我们的目标是通过应用一种抑制枝晶锂形成的涂层来控制锂的电镀和剥离，从而克服这些问题。该项目旨在开发一系列基于涂覆电极弹性和自愈层的人工界面，旨在减少降解。我们的策略是用聚合物材料预涂电极，这种材料可以适应体积的变化，并开发出添加剂与电池电解质结合的系统，以产生自修复的界面。该计划包括合成一系列新的磷腈聚合物，它们在电池电极上的沉积，电化学稳定性和可循环性表征，以及循环后的界面化学分析。该研究将为锂金属电池退化问题提供潜在的根本解决方案。此外，将探索的策略是一个潜在的通用策略，可以实现更可持续，高能量和高效的电池技术。

Lithium metal-based batteries constitute a promising battery technology, offering higher energy densities. However, their application is hindered by rapid degradation and potential safety issues. The degradation of electrode-electrolyte interfaces during cell operation is one of the major challenges in the emerging beyond-lithium-ion batteries. We aim to overcome these issues by controlling Li plating and stripping through the application of a coating that inhibits dendritic lithium formation.The project aims to develop a range of artificial interphases based on coating the electrodes with elastic and self-healing layers, aiming to reduce degradation. Our strategy is to pre-coat the electrodes with polymeric materials, which can adapt to volumetric changes and develop systems in which additives are combined with battery electrolytes to produce self-healing interphases. The programme involves synthesising a range of new phosphazene polymers, their deposition on battery electrodes, electrochemical stability and cyclability characterisation, and post-cycling chemical analysis of the interphases. This study will provide a potential fundamental solution to the problems of lithium metal battery degradation. In addition, the strategy which will be explored is a potentially general one that could enable more sustainable, high-energy, and efficient battery technologies.