Safer, Faster, and Last Longer: Developing the Next Generation All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries and Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Disciplines
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abstract (300 words maximum)
As electronic systems become more advanced, the demand for higher performance energy storage systems grows alongside the utilization of batteries as they become more prevalent in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Research for solid-state batteries has grown as an alternative to present day liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries that struggle to combat increasing energy consumption and face safety concerns. While solid-state batteries show great potential, current solid electrolytes lack the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties needed to fully utilize the battery’s potential. This research focuses on synthesizing a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity through a variety of methods including using ball milling method to create oxygen vacancies in LLZO (Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide), an existing solid electrolyte which shows promising potential, but still requires better ionic conductivity to be a viable option. Then a sulfur dopant is added with the aim of increasing conductivity. More methods were also researched including the optimization of the thiol-ene reaction to effectively yield a polymer electrolyte. To supplement this, COMSOL simulation was utilized to analyze the behavior of the battery material by solving complex non-linear equations, modeling battery interfaces, and providing comprehensive solutions for battery performance. By utilizing these methods this research aims to create solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and reduced charge resistance that will improve performance of solid-state lithium batteries.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Beibei Jiang
Safer, Faster, and Last Longer: Developing the Next Generation All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries and Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
As electronic systems become more advanced, the demand for higher performance energy storage systems grows alongside the utilization of batteries as they become more prevalent in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Research for solid-state batteries has grown as an alternative to present day liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries that struggle to combat increasing energy consumption and face safety concerns. While solid-state batteries show great potential, current solid electrolytes lack the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties needed to fully utilize the battery’s potential. This research focuses on synthesizing a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity through a variety of methods including using ball milling method to create oxygen vacancies in LLZO (Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide), an existing solid electrolyte which shows promising potential, but still requires better ionic conductivity to be a viable option. Then a sulfur dopant is added with the aim of increasing conductivity. More methods were also researched including the optimization of the thiol-ene reaction to effectively yield a polymer electrolyte. To supplement this, COMSOL simulation was utilized to analyze the behavior of the battery material by solving complex non-linear equations, modeling battery interfaces, and providing comprehensive solutions for battery performance. By utilizing these methods this research aims to create solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and reduced charge resistance that will improve performance of solid-state lithium batteries.