Functionalized Graphene Based Electrode Material for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Project Information

FunGraB

Grant agreement ID: 101069293

DOI

10.3030/101069293

Project closed

EC signature date 30 March 2022

Start date 1 April 2022

End date 30 September 2023

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCI
Czechia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FunGraB (Functionalized Graphene Based Electrode Material for Lithium Sulfur Batteries)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

FunGraB project addresses the pressing need for ecofriendly, sustainable, and rechargeable batteries with high capacity, energy density, and long lifespan, which will significantly expand the energy storage market.
With the rapid development and broad application of mobile devices, electric and unmanned vehicles, as well as with the rise of smart grids and networks for “the internet of things”, the demand for batteries with higher performance, lower cost, and lower environmental burden is rapidly growing. In order to address the aforementioned challenges, various strategies emerged over the past few years for the development of advanced composite cathodes designed for high sulfur utilization and stability. In particular, the pinning of sulfur is pursued by engineering materials as high-affinity hosts for sulfur to hinder the shuttling of lithium polysulfides.
FunGraB project aims to deliver the upscaling of an industrially-relevant one-step novel manufacturing process for a lithium-sulfur batteries electrode material, enabling a significant boost in the cycling stability, without sacrificing its performance (i.e. capacity). This will be achieved through the implementation of cost-effective materials and processes along with taking our Technology Readiness Level from 2 to 4, thus shaping a significant business opportunity (enabling us to continue development within an EIC Transition project).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The planned deliverables,data management plan and feasibility study, were successfully completed and delivered according to the original schedule. This comprehensive study encompasses a technical report, an assessment of potential economic, environmental, and societal impacts, an exploitation strategy, intellectual property (IP) strategy, market analysis, business strategy, and a submitted patent application.
In greater detail, the anticipated key outcomes were as follows:
(i) Upscaled manufacturing protocol.
(ii) Production of 1 kg of electrode material.
(iii) Report on the industrial validation of the material produced.
(iv) Market report, including market positioning and competitive landscape.
(v) Business case consolidated into a business plan, to be incorporated in the final feasibility report delivered at the project's conclusion.
(vi) Submission of a patent application and establishment of commercial agreement(s).
Results indicate that outcomes (iv) and (v) were successfully achieved, and a detailed account of these accomplishments is provided in the feasibility report. The patent (EP 20199904.2) was filled with the title “Sulfur-functionalized graphene, and use thereof as Li-S battery cathode”. The owner of the IP is Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci. The patent was filed on October 2, 2021. The search report was returned on March 26, 2021, with a highly positive review. We continued with a PCT filed on May 4, 2021 (PCT/CZ2021/050045). However, challenges were encountered in scaling up the synthesis to the targeted one kilogram scale, resulting in an achievement limited to a few grams only. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of the upscaled material was found to be inferior to that of laboratory-prepared material.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

To unlock the full potential of the GPS material, further research and development efforts are imperative, particularly focusing on the upscaling of the material synthesis. The intricacies of these challenges and proposed avenues for overcoming them are thoroughly documented in the feasibility study. Currently we are looking for an investor interested in the developed technology. Project results obtained are: an assessment of economic, environmental, and societal impacts, an exploitation strategy, intellectual property (IP) strategy, market analysis, and business strategy. We also filled a patent application.