Investigation of Nanoparticulate Fillers in Electrolytes for Lithium Ion Batteries

• Applicant: Dr. Andreas Hofmann
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Polymer Materials
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 245320854

The aim of the project entitled Investigation of nanoparticulate fillers in electrolytes for lithium ion batteries, being the continuation for the latest project is to investigate novel hybrid materials in a detailed fundamental and scientific manner. With this project it should be clarified in particular whether and to what extent (performance, temperature range) the novel nanoparticle-IL-hybrid materials can act as solid electrolytes and if these materials can make cells safer.The hybrid materials which are polymeric materials composed of polymerizable fillers, polymerizable ionic liquids and supplementary compounds, are currently unknown as solid electrolytes. Therefore, these materials will be investigated and tested as electrolyte/separator-systems for lithium-ion batteries. During the project, a deeper understanding of the new materials in terms of mechanisms of conductivity and lithium ion mobility should be achieved whereas the electrochemical and physical tests are intended to clarify structure-activity relationships, as such models are still lacking and a prediction of individual effects is currently not possible. Moreover, the addition of toxicologically safe fillers and ionic liquids can contribute the effort of greener materials which is often required in the literature. The effect of selected factors on the polymer scaffold into which the fillers are covalently incorporated, will be investigated scientifically. It is also planned to change the amount of cationic centers in the polymer structure and to shield these positive centers gradually. In addition, the effect of additives on the lithium mobility will be investigated in detail. Such additives can complex lithium ions as well as anions. Finally, investigations are completed by the determination of detailed physico-chemical properties.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Hanemann