Novel porous graphite as cathodes for advanced aluminium-ion batteries

Project Information

GAlBs

Grant agreement ID: 843621

DOI

10.3030/843621

Project closed

EC signature date 12 April 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 30 April 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 196 590,72

EU contribution

€ 196 590,72

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GAlBs (Novel porous graphite as cathodes for advanced aluminium-ion batteries)

Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2021-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The energy requirement for electric vehicles is anticipated to increase exponentially by 2040 as more that ∼55% of all new car sales are expected to be electric. With the dramatic upturn in EV adoption, the demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries will grow substantially and is set to increase at least 14-fold even by 2030. This would necessitate 0.8–1.2 million MT of Li-metal for LIB manufacture. Despite this immense energy requirements for EVs, economically viable lithium reserves for LIB manufacture are naturally limited, with more than 70% of the global deposit concentrated only in a few geographical regions. The concept of exploiting aluminium (Al; a trivalent element) for rechargeable batteries (AlBs) offers the tantalising prospect of high energy density batteries using sustainable materials. However, this battery technology has not yet demonstrated viability due to limitations in component materials, particularly the lack of a suitable cathode that can reversibly cycle Al3+ and/or Al-ion complexes. This project seeks to develop a novel porous graphite materials as cathode for AIB application that will have a chemically tunable-architecture (morphology, pore size and composition) that can be optimized to simultaneously fulfill the basic requirements of an efficient cathode for the advancement of AlB technology. The project synthesizes the cathode materials and then characterize them for morphology and cell properties.
Energy storage is essential for all aspects of our society, including the economy and modern living. Therefore, sustainable energy systems must be developed. Current lithium-ion battery technology has reached a capacity limit and depends on geopolitically affected critical raw materials. The objectives of this project include: (1) Synthesis of novel porous graphite cathodes for AlBs with chemically-tunable architecture that can be optimized to allow for reversible intercalation of Al-ion/complexes and maintain high structural stability. (2) Detail characterize/analysis using ex situ techniques (XRD, SEM, TEM, etc) and battery performance.
(2) Communicate, disseminate, train and exploit the research results to maximize the benefits for science and society, the lead researcher's career and the research capacity and output profile of the host group

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 project has achieved most of its objectives. All publications are not yet ready and will be published within the next few months to 2 years. Peer review publications typically involve back-and-forth discussions between authors, reviewers and editors and that delays publications at end of project. The main work carried out include cathode materials synthesis, anode materials synthesis, detail materials characterization and analysis, battery assembly and testing, post-mortem analysis, communication and dissemination of the research results.

(1) Cathode Materials synthesis and characterization: the synthesis of porous graphite cathode has been very successful, leading to the creation of a library of graphite materials with various structures and morphologies that could have various benefits for the cathode development. This include interconnected porous graphite, holey graphite, in situ generated mixed graphite/graphene, few layer graphene, defect-rich graphite, etc.

(2) Anode Materials synthesis and characterization: we have successfully synthesized the nanowire based copper-silicide proposed in the project for anode side, revealing the systematic growth pattern and structural evolution mechanisms, enabling control of the morphology.
(3) Electrochemical analysis of battery: battery performance analysis of these graphitic materials have been carried out including cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, rate capability performance, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and post-mortem analysis of the materials

(4) Communication and dissemination of results: The project and research findings have been presented in various seminars and consortia including at the Battery 2030+ Roadmap in Dublin (2019), MaREI Conference in Limerick (2019), Internal Workshops (SSPC Postdoctoral Grant Workshop, Limerick, 2020) and various international online conferences. Results on the copper-silicide for anodes has been published in Crystal Growth and Design, (DOI:10.1021/acs.cgd.0c00833).

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)

Progress beyond the state of the art:

1- Rapid development and control of porous graphite architecture: the current state of the art is typically based on the use of natural graphite flakes, chemical vapour deposition generated porous graphite, graphite oxide, metal sulfides, and metal oxide based materials all of which have limitation in their synthesis, structural control, reproducibility and more importantly limited battery capacity and performance. This project has made significant progress far beyond the state of the art by developing a rapid synthesis technique to manufacture a library of porous interconnected graphitic materials, using only water as the solvent. The graphite morphologies present potential advantages over natural graphite flakes and chemical vapour deposition generated porous graphitic materials

2- Expected results and potential impacts: the electrochemical results show high promise for high capacity and rate capability performance with enhanced stability. This is expected to show performance well in advance of the current performance by graphitic materials reported to date. A better understanding of the relationship between cathode morphology and cell performance is being advanced in this project and will benefit future research to a great extend.

3- Detail understanding of the working principles and limitations of the Al-ion battery system. The investigations carried out in this project has led to a better understanding of the aluminium ion battery system and its working principles and will lay a stronger foundation for future research in the field.

4- Potential socio-economic impact: (1) Educational impact: Al-ion battery technology is still in the infant stage with a huge knowledge deficit and not yet fully developed compared to other battery systems. This presents opportunities to student researchers to feel a knowledge gap. This project has enabled knowledge transfer of this battery technology with high promise for impact in the medium to long term, and will benefit the career development of many researchers and students down the trail. The research results/data may become useful for inclusion in the training of students and development of curricular/teaching modules which will have learning benefits. (2) Economic impact: development of aluminium ion battery technology is also expected to have significant economic impact in the context of new technical skills:- the implementation of this project action plan has already bolstered the lead researcher with new technical skill including PhD students in the research group which will have far reaching benefits to society, (3) Environmental impact: the eventual development of aluminium ion battery technology will complement Li-ion systems enabling rapid transitioning from internal combustion engines to EVs. This will cut off fossil fuel for vehicular traction with significant benefits to the environment and climate change remediation.

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