Platform Grant Renewal - Materials for Lithium Batteries
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Rechargeable lithium batteries have transformed potable electronics (2 billion cells p.a. in 2009). They are a technology of choice for the electrification of transport and will contribute to balancing the intermittency of electricity supply from renewable sources with consumer demand (load levelling). In short, their high energy density will make them a vital technology in the 21st century, important in tackling climate change. However to achieve the step-change in lithium battery performance necessary to meet the formidable challenges of new markets, such as transport and load levelling, as well as future portable devices, it is essential to investigate radical new ideas and new approaches for the anodes, electrolytes and cathodes and to sustain their study for many years, in order to realise their potential. Achieving this goal demands a long-term strategic approach that embraces high risk research and sustained effort. Here we propose to investigate new ideas and approaches, to continue the investigation of topics introduced under our previous Platform Grant, e.g. the Li-air battery, nanostructured electrodes and crystalline polymer electrolytes, to engage with the best groups nationally and internationally, to engage with private and public sector stakeholders and further the careers of the best research personnel in the group.
Planned Impact
The reasearch enabled by the Platform Grant has significant potential for impact beyond academia in the private, public, third sectors and society as a whole. Breakthroughs in lithium battery research would impact on the battery and portable electronics industries. Given that some 25% of CO2 emissions arise from transportation and that lithium batteries are a technology of choice for future electric vehicles to mitigate such emissions, our research has potential for significant impact within the transport industry in the UK and world wide. Some 30% of CO2 emissions are associated with electricity generation and lithium batteries are now regarded as a key energy storage technology for balancing the intermittent supply from renewables with consumer demand; there are already major programmes in USA and Japan dedicated to lithium batteries for load levelling. Hence our research on lithium batteries will have impact on the electricity industry. As materials are key to advances in lithium batteries, our work has potential impact on the energy materials industry. The key role of lithium batteries in addressing climate change makes them of strategic relevance to government and non-governmental organisations. Research on lithium batteries has the potential to change the energy landscape and policy/decision makers need to know and will be influenced by such developments. For example, government policy towards investment in transportation, power generation and energy policy generally will be affected by advances in lithium batteries. The role of lithium batteries in reducing CO2 emissions means that research in this field has impact on environmental agencies and the public as a whole. In a recent report to the Scottish Government EA Technologies have named high energy density batteries as a research priority for the development of clean energy.
People |
ORCID iD |
| P Bruce (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Andreev YG
(2014)
The shape of TiO2-B nanoparticles.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Armstrong A
(2014)
Polymorphism in Li 2 M SiO 4 ( M = Fe, Mn): A Variable Temperature Diffraction Study
in Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie
Armstrong AR
(2011)
The lithium intercalation process in the low-voltage lithium battery anode Li(1+x)V(1-x)O2.
in Nature materials
Billaud J
(2017)
Evidence of Enhanced Ion Transport in Li-Rich Silicate Intercalation Materials
in Advanced Energy Materials
Billaud J
(2014)
Na 0.67 Mn 1-x Mg x O 2 (0 = x = 0.2): a high capacity cathode for sodium-ion batteries
in Energy Environ. Sci.
Birkl C
(2015)
A Parametric Open Circuit Voltage Model for Lithium Ion Batteries
in Journal of The Electrochemical Society
Bruce PG
(2011)
Li-O2 and Li-S batteries with high energy storage.
in Nature materials
Brutti S
(2012)
TiO 2 -(B) Nanotubes as Anodes for Lithium Batteries: Origin and Mitigation of Irreversible Capacity
in Advanced Energy Materials
Clark SJ
(2016)
Li(V0.5Ti0.5)S2 as a 1 V lithium intercalation electrode.
in Nature communications
Freunberger SA
(2011)
The lithium-oxygen battery with ether-based electrolytes.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Freunberger SA
(2011)
Reactions in the rechargeable lithium-O2 battery with alkyl carbonate electrolytes.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Gao X
(2016)
Promoting solution phase discharge in Li-O2 batteries containing weakly solvating electrolyte solutions.
in Nature materials
Gentili V
(2012)
Lithium Insertion into Anatase Nanotubes
in Chemistry of Materials
Hua X
(2015)
The Morphology of TiO2 (B) Nanoparticles.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Imanishi Nobuyuki
(2014)
The Lithium Air Battery: Fundamentals
Leskes M
(2012)
Direct detection of discharge products in lithium-oxygen batteries by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Luo K
(2016)
Anion Redox Chemistry in the Cobalt Free 3d Transition Metal Oxide Intercalation Electrode Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Ma Z
(2013)
Catalytic decomposition of N2O on ordered crystalline metal oxides.
in Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology
Maranski K
(2014)
Synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide) approaching monodispersity.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
McTurk E
(2015)
Minimally Invasive Insertion of Reference Electrodes into Commercial Lithium-Ion Pouch Cells
in ECS Electrochemistry Letters
Ottakam Thotiyl MM
(2013)
The carbon electrode in nonaqueous Li-O2 cells.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Peng Z
(2011)
Oxygen reactions in a non-aqueous Li+ electrolyte.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Ren Y
(2012)
Nanoparticulate TiO2(B): an anode for lithium-ion batteries.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Singh G
(2016)
High Voltage Mg-Doped Na 0.67 Ni 0.3- x Mg x Mn 0.7 O 2 ( x = 0.05, 0.1) Na-Ion Cathodes with Enhanced Stability and Rate Capability
in Chemistry of Materials
| Description | This work undertaken in this project focused on the development of a new generation of batteries which exceed the performance of the popular lithium ion battery. This research was designed to be flexible and covered a wide range of research areas from Li air, advanced lithium ion and electrolyte work. This work identified the fundamentals underlying several topical battery chemistries. |
| Exploitation Route | Understanding the fundamental operation of battery materials is of great importance to other researchers of new materials but also for industrial research. Many of our findings will be impacting research a large battery companies. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Transport |
| Description | Findings had been disseminated to various industrial partners and beneficiaries in the transport/automotive sector via our links within the SUPERGEN consortia and this has informed the direction of battery development for hybrid and fully electrified vehicles. The research aided establishment of research links and collaboration between the Bruce group and a number of leading international car manufacturers which are ongoing, and support the development of new battery systems and related industries. The research has informed and produced roadmaps for next-generation energy storage development, and some of the investigators have advised government bodies in this area of energy storage both in the UK and in Brussels. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Electronics,Energy,Transport |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | E-cosse, Scottish Government Electric Vehicle Strategic Boards |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Royal Society, Science and Industry Committee |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Joint UK-India Clean Energy Centre (JUICE) |
| Amount | £5,094,437 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P003605/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Next Generation Solid-State Batteries |
| Amount | £1,735,133 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P003532/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2016 |
| End | 11/2019 |
| Description | Oxford-UNIST collaboration |
| Organisation | Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology |
| Country | Korea, Republic of |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Had extensive discussions with the Korean counterpart and agreed to host postdocs here at Oxford. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sending Korean postdocs to Oxford, organizing Oxford-UNIST workshops and visits. |
| Impact | Discipline: Materials Fruitful collaboration between nations which might result in scientific discoveries, journal articles etc. in the future. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Title | AIR CATHODE AND METAL-AIR BATTERY |
| Description | A main object of the present invention is to provide an air cathode capable of achieving both high initial discharge capacity and high capacity retention. In the present invention, the problem is solved by providing an air cathode used in a metal-air battery, comprising: an air cathode layer containing a conductive material, a particulate catalyst and a fibrous catalyst; and an air cathode current collector for collecting current of the air cathode layer, wherein the ratio of the fibrous catalyst to the total weight of the particulate catalyst and the fibrous catalyst is 10% by weight or less. |
| IP Reference | WO2011033683 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | n/a |
| Title | Bardé, F., Bruce, P. G., Freunberger, S. A., Chen, Y. & Hardwick, L. J. Catalyst loaded onto carbon for rechargeable nonaqueous metal-air battery. JPO patent 053888 (2011) |
| Description | Bardé, F., Bruce, P. G., Freunberger, S. A., Chen, Y. & Hardwick, L. J. Catalyst loaded onto carbon for rechargeable nonaqueous metal-air battery. JPO patent 053888 (2011) |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | n/a |
| Title | CATHODE CATALYST FOR RECHARGEABLE METAL-AIR BATTERY AND RECHARGEABLE METAL-AIR BATTERY |
| Description | The present invention is to provide a cathode catalyst capable of increasing the initial capacity, decreasing the charging voltage and improving the capacity retention of a rechargeable metal-air battery, and a rechargeable metal-air battery having high initial capacity, excellent charge-discharge efficiency, and excellent capacity retention. A cathode catalyst for a rechargeable metal-air battery comprising NiFe2O4, and a rechargeable metal-air battery comprising an air cathode containing at least NiFe2O4, an anode containing at least a negative-electrode active material and an electrolyte interposed between the air cathode and the anode. |
| IP Reference | WO2011148518 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | n/a |
| Title | Novel Lithium Battery Cathode Material |
| Description | Nanostructured Electrodes for Lithium Batteries Transforming the rate at which Li-ion batteries can be charged/discharged is essential for their use in electric vehicles (for so-called regenerative breaking). To attack this issue Bruce, in the early years of the 21st century, pioneered nanostructured intercalation electrodes, including TiO2(B) nanowires/nanotubes and mesoporous LiMn2O4 as anodes and cathodes respectively (2004/2008) [2,3]. He demonstrated that the combination of length scales in one material (micrometre, nanometre and atomic) endows materials with superior properties, and hence performance, compared with micron-sized particulate electrodes when used in lithium-ion batteries. [text removed for publication]. IPR is covered in US 12/857.431 and a Canadian patent application number CA 2.675.302 |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | n/a |
| Title | STABLE NON-AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE PROMOTING IDEAL REACTION PROCESS IN RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM-AIR BATTERIES |
| Description | The present invention relates to a lithium -air battery comprising: - a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material; - a positive electrode using oxygen as a positive-electrode active material; and - an electrolyte medium arranged between the negative electrode and the positive electrode; wherein the electrolyte medium comprises as primary solvent one or more compounds having an -N-CO- group in the molecule. |
| IP Reference | WO2013053378 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2013 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | n/a |
| Title | Stable non-aqueous electrolyte promoting ideal reaction process in rechargeable lithium-air batteries |
| Description | The present invention relates to a lithium-air battery including: a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material; a positive electrode using oxygen as a positive-electrode active material; and an electrolyte medium arranged between the negative electrode and the positive electrode; wherein the electrolyte medium includes as primary solvent one or more compounds having an -N-CO- group in the molecule.v |
| IP Reference | US20140255802 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | n/a |
| Description | APC Electrical Energy Storage Roadmap Development Session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Confidential. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | BP meeting on 'Storage: Why, What, When?' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions in Chatham House Rule format |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Cafe Nano lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | n/a |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Catapult conference Sept 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This annual conference is attended by academic and industrial experts from JLR, Tata Motors European Technical Centre and WMG at the University of Warwick. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Interview by Fully Charged |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 43,000 views on Youtube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW1Xugey8j0 |
| Description | Lecture at Tokyo University of Science Oct 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited lecture |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Shell Collaborative Research Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Confidential. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | UKES 2016 conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Brings together national and international researchers from the academic, industry and policy sectors, and facilitate discussions on every aspect of energy storage |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| URL | http://ukenergystorage.co/ |