Project description DEENESFRITPL Solvated ions in solid electrodes for reversible energy storage based on abundant elements Currently considered the best option for electric vehicles and grid storage, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are based on solid electrodes separated by a liquid electrolyte between which lithium (Li) ions are reversibly exchanged during charge and discharge. Efficient Li+ transport is vital for ensuring good performance. Scientists have been trying to apply the LIB concept to other more abundant ions to reduce costs. However, the unfavourable mismatch between solid electrode host structures and ion radii or too large charge/radius ratios has resulted in limited progress. The EU-funded SEED project aims to tackle this issue by intercalating solvated ions into solid electrodes. In this way, the project will enable the reversible storage of a variety of ions in advanced host structures. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Storing large amounts of electrical energy is a major challenge for the forthcoming decades. Today, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are considered the best option for electric vehicles and grid storage but these rising markets put severe pressure on resource and supply chains. The principle of LIBs is based on solid electrodes separated by a liquid electrolyte between which Li ions are reversibly exchanged during charge and discharge. The efficient Li+ transport in the different phases and across the interfaces is essential for achieving a good performance. A fundamental difference between ion transport in solid phases and ion transport in solutions is that the ions are “naked” in the solid phase but solvated in the liquid phase. Recently major efforts have been initiated to adopt the successful LIB concept to other working ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ or Al3+. This is motivated by the promise of lower cost thanks to their abundance as well as in some cases higher energy density. The progress, however, is limited mainly due to an unfavourable mismatch between the solid electrode host structures and the ion radii or too large charge/radius ratios. Especially multivalent ions lead to severe lattice polarization frustrating ion mobility in solid electrodes.This project aims at a radically different concept, i.e. instead of “naked” ions, solvated ions will be intercalated into the electrodes. Solvent co-intercalation is traditionally considered as highly detrimental. Latest results, however, question the generality of this argument. The SEED project will explore the concept of using solvated ions in solid electrodes for the reversible storage of a variety of ions. As the solvation shell acts as electrostatic shield and can be tuned in its composition, lattice polarization can be minimized. Using this effect, the SEED project finally aims at enabling reversible charge storage of multivalent ions in host structures with properties far beyond current state-of-the art. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectric batteriessocial sciencessocial geographytransportelectric vehicles Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2019-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2019-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN Net EU contribution € 1 997 811,00 Address UNTER DEN LINDEN 6 10117 Berlin Germany See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 997 811,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN Germany Net EU contribution € 1 997 811,00 Address UNTER DEN LINDEN 6 10117 Berlin See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 997 811,00
