Interface Design for Aqueous Batteries, #23-000004512
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseAqueous batteries represent a family of promising electrochemical systems for low-cost, sustainable, andenvironment-friendly (renewable) electricity storage. The importance of interfacial processes in aqueous batteries is well-recognized by the community. However, interfacial processes are poorly understood because reactions are spatially confined at the electrochemical interface and dynamically evolve, imposing challenges for experimental measurements. The study of such an interface must consider the design of both electrode and electrolyte. The proposed project focuses on designing water-soluble organic additives to tailor the electrochemical interface in a model MnO2 based Zn-ion battery cell. Our study is fundamental in nature, so the methods developed can be applied to other aqueous battery systems, too.To rationally engineer interfacial processes, we need a holistic study to understand the dynamic interfacial chemistry, including electrolyte and electrode interactions. Our central hypothesis is that the reactive electrochemical interface continuously transforms electrode materials through electrolyte and electrode interactions and thatan ideally designed interphase can help maintain the electrode stability and battery performance. Our scientific questions are: (a)How do water-soluble, cyanocarbon-based charge-carriers and fluoro-organic electrolyte additives impact electrode interfacial chemistry and overall charging/discharging performance? (b) How do ion diffusion near the electrode-electrolyte interface and ion intercalation in the active material influence the performance of aqueous batteries? (c) How does the interplay between electrode and electrolyte during electrochemical cycling modify the fluorinated interfacial chemistry, including solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) andcathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI)? Our technical approaches include (1) design and synthesis of electrolyte components; (2) electrode design and synthesis; and (3) electrochemical analysis and characterization of interphases. The proposed project of creating acomprehensive aqueous battery system is based on the team#s expertise in battery design, synthesis, and measurement, as well as materials chemistry of porous electrode materials and electrolytes. The project will be a foundation for naval enterprise partnership teaming with universities for national excellence (NEPTUNE) and is also highly relevant to the following programs in the Office of Naval Research: 1) advanced power and energy for undersea applications, 2) electrochemical materials, 3) expeditionary energy, 4) power and energy science and technology, and 5) power generation and energy storage. A strong workforce development plan will be executed in the project, with a focus on educating cadets at Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is one of only two comprehensive state universities that maintain a full military college (Corps of Cadets) on campus. We anticipate working closely with the Commandant#s Office to identify top cadet students to contribute to our programs as undergraduate research participants. We also plan to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to the students.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312609
Entities
People
- Feng Lin
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech