Anode-free Batteries

Overview

The lithium-metal battery (LMB) has been regarded as the most promising and viable future high-energy-density rechargeable battery technology due to the employment of the Li-metal anode. However, it suffers from poor energy density and safety, and improved battery design is sought. The anode-free full-cell architecture is constructed from a fully lithiated cathode with a bare anode Cu current collector. In such an anode-free lithium battery, both the gravimetric and volumetric energy densities can be extended to the maximum limit. Moreover, the anode-free cell architecture exhibits advantages in terms of cost, safety and cell assembly procedure compared with a typical LMB. However, gaining the highest benefits from an anode-free (zero Li excess) cell architecture demands the relentless challenge of reversibility/stability of Li-metal plating/stripping to be met. This project  will be focused on optimizing the suitable electrolytes, additivites , coating and other parameters to achieve high capacity and cycling stability.

Research activities

This interesting project will explore several aspects of the anode-free batteries and the research activities can include:

• Optimization of cathode materials
• Cathode coatings
• Finding suitable electrolyte and additives
• fabrication of real-world coin cells
• electrochemical testing using cyclic voltammetry charge/discharge techniques and data analysis
• elucidating the electrochemical energy storage mechanism.

The supervisor has a strong track record and a wide range of expertise in energy storage materials and devices. This is symbiotic opportunity to work with a well-established research group using cutting-edge instruments at the Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF).

Outcomes

The project will provide you with an effective and rich learning experience in materials and future battery technologies.

The best results of this research are expected to be published in high impact journals, and presented in the national and international conferences.

The technological applications of this research will bring opportunities to work with local and international industries.

Skills and experience

The candidate is expected to have a strong background in:

• chemistry
• materials science
• physics
• engineering.

Research experience in electrochemistry, materials chemistry or energy-oriented fields will be positively considered.

The research group is well-equipped and has all the required facilities.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

• Batteries
• Electrolytes

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.