Nanostructured Electrodes and Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Ultra High Energy Density Lithium Sulfur Batteries - NEILLSBAT

Project summary

The proposal seeks to overcome the limitations of Lithium sulfur batteries (LSB) through the development of safe high-capacity anodes based on silicon and germanium nanowire heterostructure arrays and specifically designed high-capacity MOF-S (Metal Organic Frameworks with sulphur in pores) cathodes in addition to safe non-flammable ionic liquid electrolytes. The ultimate goal of the research is to produce a full LSB based on these components with a specific energy of 600 Wh/kg for at least 100 cycles. In this approach, aimed at Topic 4 Functional Materials section 4 Energy Storage, we intend not just to synthesise these high performance electrode materials, but also to achieve a detailed understanding of their structural and chemical evolution during battery cycling, with a view to their further modification and optimisation. The developments the partners have carried out to-date in these areas are at TRL 4 and at the end of the project the developments will be at TRL6.