Project Details
Projekt
Ion and electron conducting hetero-aggregates for electrochemical applications
Subject Area
Mechanical Process Engineering
Term
since 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 462470125
This project focuses on the development of advanced cathode composites for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) that shall be superior to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with liquid electrolytes in terms of energy density, safety, and power density. A key aspect of this endeavor is the research and optimization of heterogeneous aggregates comprising various active materials and solid electrolytes. These aggregates are crucial for the performance of ASSBs as they form the basis for ion transport and electronic conductivity within the battery. The planned research encompasses both experimental and simulation approaches to gain a deep understanding of material interactions, microstructure, and electrochemical properties. This is intended to enhance the performance and reliability of ASSBs, ultimately paving the way for their commercial application. The main objectives of the project for the second funding period are: 1. Investigation of application-relevant material systems: The plan is to shift from the original model system (LiFePO4, Li3InCl6, carbon black) to other material systems that exhibit different particle-particle interactions. This includes the use of more cost-effective and less resource-intensive solid electrolytes like Li2ZrCl6 and high-performance material combinations like LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) with the highly conductive sulfide solid electrolyte Li6PS5Cl (LPSCL). 2. Investigation of advanced mixer designs and processes: The research will focus on assessing the impact of stress number and stress intensity, e.g., by varying rotational speed, mixing time, and grinding media size, on the electrochemical performance of the ASSB full cell. The aim is to establish material/process-structure-property functions. 3. Simulation and investigation of stress mechanisms and resulting microstructure: The intention is to combine simulation and experimental methods to understand the formation of hetero-aggregates and to correlate the microstructure with the outcomes of the simulations. Thereby a reproducible reference process for the scientific community shall be established. 4. Development of a 4-phase system by adding a binder and scaling up the production of cathode sheets: This includes direct dry calendering and cell assembly, which is made possible by the addition of a binder and the associated mechanical stability of the cathode sheets.
DFG Programme
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