This prospective transition from conventional to next-generation LBBs includes not only the development and modification of electrode structures and electrolytes formulations, but also boundary of the electrode and electrolyte (so-called “interphase”). Ordinarily, at the operating electrochemical potentials of LBBs, conventional electrolytes are unstable against the anode and cathode, which leads to the formation of interphase with a specific chemical nature. Such resistive interphase, which is formed at the expense of electrolyte material loss, considerably limits the attainable energy and impairs the ionic conduction. This results in limiting the attainable performance, stability, and lifetime of LBBs. To rationally design the next-generation batteries with high energy density and high durability, a robust mechanistic understanding of the interphase’s formation, evolution, and degradation is of great importance. In this regard, the PhD thesis within the EFoBatt project is designed in two phases: (1) development of novel electrolyte formulations to improve the performance and stability of the interphases, (2) molecular level operando characterization of the formed interphases toward improved understanding of the future energy storage devices.

Your specific tasks in detail:

• Operando vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FTIR) investigation of lithium-based battery’s interphases: technique development and characterization
• Design, development, and characterization of novel electrolyte compositions (conducting salts, solvents / co-solvents and functional additives) in lithium-based batteries
• Electrochemical (potentiostatic / galvanostatic cycling, LSV and EIS) and analytical (GC-MS, NMR, UV-VIS) characterization of battery cell components
• Analysis of the electrochemical and vibrational spectroscopy data
• Writing papers and presenting the results in conferences