Elastic and Self-Healing Artificial Interphases for Beyond-Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium metal-based batteries constitute a promising battery technology, offering higher energy densities. However, their application is hindered by rapid degradation and potential safety issues. The degradation of electrode-electrolyte interfaces during cell operation is one of the major challenges in the emerging beyond-lithium-ion batteries. We aim to overcome these issues by controlling Li plating and stripping through the application of a coating that inhibits dendritic lithium formation.

The project aims to develop a range of artificial interphases based on coating the electrodes with elastic and self-healing layers, aiming to reduce degradation. Our strategy is to pre-coat the electrodes with polymeric materials, which can adapt to volumetric changes and develop systems in which additives are combined with battery electrolytes to produce self-healing interphases. The programme involves synthesising a range of new phosphazene polymers, their deposition on battery electrodes, electrochemical stability and cyclability characterisation, and post-cycling chemical analysis of the interphases. This study will provide a potential fundamental solution to the problems of lithium metal battery degradation. In addition, the strategy which will be explored is a potentially general one that could enable more sustainable, high-energy, and efficient battery technologies.