Stable interfaces enabling the use of safe electrolytes for next-generation batteries

Modern rechargeable batteries are capable of providing high energy and power, for example enabling full electric vehicles and portable appliances.

The next generation of batteries, including sodium and potassium technologies, are expected to support grid-scale energy generation from renewable sources.

However, more focus needs to be placed on the use of safe (e.g. non-flammable) and non-toxic materials, while maintaining high performance.

Therefore, this project aims to enable the use of safe and non-toxic electrolytes through the pre-formation of stable interfacial layers on electrodes prior to operation.

The knowledge attained from applying this approach to lithium-ion batteries will be translated to Na and K batteries to address the challenge of interfacial dissolution in such systems.

The results from this project will lead to safer batteries with high performance, and a greater understanding of their interfacial chemistry.