Title: Design of Engineered Multilayer Solid-State Electrolytes for Li Metal Batteries with High Energy Storage
Presenter: Dr. Peter Maria Bieker, 
Senior researcher Forschungszentrum Jülich at Helmholtz Institute Münster
Abstract: In the run for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage beyond lithium-ion chemistry, safety hazards and short cycle life of Li metal batteries (LMBs) demand rational design of electrolytes1. A solid-state electrolyte as an alternative Li-ion conductor could remove the flammable solvent to improve the safety. However, interfacial challenges of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with Li metal anodes or high-energy cathodes (e.g., Ni-rich materials, 5V-class cathodes and O2) hinder the development of LMBs with high cycling stability2. High energy density in cell level also requires thin electrolytes (< 50 µm) and high Li areal capacity utilization (≥ 4 mAh/cm2) in practical solid-state batteries3. In front of this background, this work is focused on scalable manufacturing processes as well as the fundamental understanding of Li deposition/dissolution behavior.
Here, we report on a facile approach to produce engineered multilayer solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), comprising crosslinked-polymer, functional ionic liquid and oxide-based ceramics, reinforced via commercial polymeric separators. Well controlled thickness (20-50 µm) and enhanced mechanical strength of this multilayer SSE do pave the way for the roll-to-roll processing technology of SSEs. Rational design based on this engineered electrolyte shows improved compatibility with high Li areal capacity utilization (≥ 5 mAh/cm2) and high-energy cathodes. Electrochemical characterization, post mortem, in situ and operando analysis (SEM, XPS, X-ray tomography and electrochemical dilatometry) elucidated several interesting electro-chemo-mechanical effects at the interfaces/interphases.
Bio: Dr. Peter Maria Bieker earned his doctorate degree in Physical Chemistry in 2010. He was a Ph.D. student, Physical Chemistry in the working group of Prof. M. Schönhoff, Westfälische Wilhems-Universität, Münster, Germany. He currently is a Senior researcher Forschungszentrum Jülich at Helmholtz Institute Münster.