Development of Quasi-Solid State Electrolytes for High-Energy-Density and High-Power-Density Lithium-Air Batteries as Energy Storage Device

This group proposal is entitled “Lithium-air batteries of high energy density and high power density as energy storage devices”. The objective is to develop high performance key components for lithium-air batteries with long-term stability and high galvanic efficiency. Lithium-air batteries exhibit the highest theoretical energy and power densities among the electrochemical cells and batteries, including lithium ion battery. The lithium-air batteries are suitable for electrical network, electrical vehicles, and portable devices. This group project consists of five sub-projects, each aiming on developing one key component in lithium-air battery of mixed aprotic/aqueous electrolyte configuration. The investigated topics include the development of aprotic electrolyte next to lithium electrode, aqueous electrolyte next to air electrode, Li-conducting separator between the electrodes, porous air electrode, lithium electrode and associated solid electrolyte interface, and real-time on-line monitoring technology of battery state. The objective of this particular sub-project is to develop highly lithium (Li)-conductive aprotic electrolyte by creating Li-conducting channels. This would enhance the reactivity on the Li electrode. Meanwhile, oxygen solubility in the electrolyte needs to be increased to allow sufficient reaction kinetics on carbon electrode. Therefore the success of the aprotic electrolyte would benefit both electrode reactions (which are the research topics of sub-project #2 and #4). The Li permeability across the aprotic electrolyte should match that in the Li-conducting separator (which is the research topic of sub-project #3). In addition, the intercalation/de-intercalation of the Li ions plays a critical role in the long-term stability and battery efficiency and will be evaluated using AC impedance spectroscopy and advanced device (which is the research topic of sub-project #5). Thus this group project is well integrated with various expertise from the participating professors (PIs). The PI to lead this group proposal (Prof. S. Jessie Lue) is an internationally well-known researcher in this field. In year 2013 alone, she has publishes 12 SCI high-impact SCI papers. The highly cited top ten papers from her group have received more than 385 citations. The PI is responsible for the integration of the research results from each sub-project, establishing test platform, and battery assembly for efficiency testing. The battery test results will be fed back to each sub-project for continued material improvement. In charge of this sub-project #1, the PI will develop high performance aprotic electrolyte for Li-air batteries. It is intended to achieve electrolytes of high Li conduction, sufficient oxygen solubility, and suppressed solvent loss. This proposal is planned to be executed during a three-year period. In the first year, the focus will be on the preparation and characterization of liquid electrolyte solutions containing suitable carrier and/or ionic liquid for Li-air batteries. In the second year the effort will be placed on the increased oxygen solubility by introducing nano-fillers, including carbon nano-tubes and functionalized graphene nano-sheets. In the third year, the focus will be on the design of gel-like materials for prolonging battery lifetime by incorporation of ionic liquid and cation-exchange polymer electrolyte. The PI has excellent research results on the electrolyte development for fuel cells and solar cells, which data have been published in nearly 20 articles in the first-tier journals (e.g. Journal of Membrane Science, Journal of Power Sources). Therefore it is clear that this project can be carried out successfully and will have positive fruitful performance.

Project ID:PB10401-1785
External Project ID:MOST103-2221-E182-055-MY3