Energy plays an indispensable role in our everyday lives. The dependence on fossil fuels to meet the energy demands and the resultant emission of greenhouse gases adversely affect the atmosphere. To alleviate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable energy future, it is imperative to develop affordable and efficient battery technologies. The project aimed to design the best combination of cathode and anode materials and solid polymer electrolyte, to develop safe and eco-friendly cells with high energy density and cycling stability for next-generation energy storage applications. Relying on renewable, pollution-free energy sources, backed by efficient storage systems, will enable electric transportation and thus foster a greener and healthier environment.
This project addressed the objective of developing a high-capacity silicon anode using an innovative technique that embeds silicon particles in a carbon-rich silicon oxycarbide. This silicon oxycarbide acts as a buffer matrix, mitigating the volume expansion of silicon and improving its electrical conductivity. Additionally, the project focused on developing an all-solid-state battery that pairs the silicon-based anode with a high-capacity sulfur cathode and a solid polymer electrolyte. This combination not only addresses the safety concerns of conventional lithium-ion batteries by eliminating the flammable liquid electrolyte, but also significantly increases the energy density because of the high-capacity sulfur cathode.