Research

Vision. There is an urgent national and international need for Li-ion batteries (LIB) with high energy density and power density due to the ever-growing demand for electric vehicles. Conventional LIBs with carbonate-based-organic electrolytes suffer from their limited capacities and safety concern. Efforts to improve energy densities of LIBs are hampered by a lack of basic research into the structure and interphase formation in battery materials. 

The research plan we are proposing will answer important, fundamental questions about the design principle for not only battery components but also interfacial engineering for LIBs. First, we will investigate nonflammable electrolytes including ionic liquids, aqueous electrolytes and solid electrolytes to achieve high energy density and safety as well. Second, interfacial reactions will be explored in both anode and cathode parts and the strategies for interfacial engineering will be suggested based on the understanding of fundamental science. Finally, synchrotron X-ray techniques will be used to understand how local/bulk structures in electrolytes or electrodes as a function of potential, therefore this operando data will be correlated with electrochemical characterization, thus enabling the rational design of longer-lasting battery materials with high energy densities.