Topic 01-15 : Protective coatings for metal (Li, Mg) batteries

Next steps in the development of sustainable batteries involve actions in achieving higher quality, reliability and longer cycle life which will improve their acceptance and decrease price calculated per kWh of energy stored. The ability to repair damage increases lifetime of most living organisms and it can be an inspiration to introduce self-healing functionalities in batteries. The proposal aims in the development of autonomous self-heling functionalities for batteries using single ion conducting polymers decorated with scavenger molecules. Single ion conducting polymers will be used as an interface between active material and bulk electrolyte. This will improve ionic wiring of active material and it can serve as a protective coating (artificial passive layer). Decoration of polymers with scavenger molecules will act as a protection shield by adsorbing degradation products which can have a negative impact on overall battery behaviour. Active material coated with single ion conducting polymers will be incorporated into highly flexible 3D conductive hybrid networks, which will be able to maintain composite electrode integrity during prolonged cycling. Design of these self-healing functionalities and the fundamental understanding of their mechanisms will be supported by advanced characterization.