Structure, dynamics and electrochemical stability of concentrated electrolytes in confined spaces

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Winter
• Subject Area: Technical Chemistry
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 509322222

This collaborative project aims to understand the structure and dynamics of concentrated electrolytes in confined spaces, and their impact on electrochemical stability, charge transfer kinetics and overall performance in battery systems. These systems operate under highly complex confined conditions, making them far-from-equilibrium with coupling between reaction rates and transport phenomena. Highly-concentrated electrolytes have recently been explored due to promising properties, including high voltage stability and high cation transference numbers. Using experiments, theories and simulations, we will probe the structure and dynamics of electrolyte behavior from molecular confinement (gap <1 nm) to bulk (gap ~microns), and connect these characteristics to their overall reactivity, which controls an essential aspect of battery performance (stability at extreme voltages).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Joelle Frechette; Professor Kranthi K. Mandadapu; Professor Dr. Bryan D. McCloskey