| Project Detail |
Mg-conducting, polymerised ionic fluid electrolytes overcome barriers
Lithium ion (Li+) batteries, smaller and lighter than their predecessors, have changed the world. The technology behind them, which garnered the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, has enabled modern portable electronics like laptops and mobile phones and supported the introduction of electric vehicles. Batteries based on multivalent ions such as the magnesium ion (Mg2+) can overcome challenges faced by Li+ regarding energy density, safety, cost and carbon footprint. With the support of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ION-MAN project will address the key barrier to rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs). ION-MAN will develop high-performing Mg-conducting electrolytes for RMBs based on polymerised ionic liquids by harnessing an integrated, multi-technique approach and advanced characterisation tools.
With global battery demand projected to increase by 25% per year till 2030, it is urgent to overcome the limitations of commercial Li-ion batteries in terms of energy density, safety, cost and carbon footprint. Batteries based on multivalent chemistries can reach significantly higher energy densities at lower costs. In particular, magnesium has very high volumetric capacity, low reduction potential, no toxicity, it is easier to handle than lithium, and 3000-times more abundant and more geographically widespread. Therefore, rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) can enable safe, low-cost, high-energy-density energy storage, contributing to the energy security and the creation of a competitive battery ecosystem within the European Union.
The major barrier to RMBs is the lack of Mg-conducting electrolytes that allow reversible, charge efficient plating/stripping of metallic Mg. ION-MAN will develop a new family of high-performing electrolytes for RMBs based on polymerized ionic liquids (PILs). The rationally designed electrolyte structures combine the strengths of previously reported Mg-conducting electrolytes, to the exploration of topological effects. An integrated, multi-technique approach that uses advanced characterization tools will enable to measure physicochemical properties, and propose suitable long-range charge migration mechanisms for the electrolytes. Despite the bivalency of Mg2+ leads to strong interactions with anions and solvents, the proposed methodology will allow for accurately identifying the mobile Mg species, their interactions with other components and their reactions with both electrodes of an RMB. Thus, the compatibility with Mg metal anode and selected cathodes will be thoroughly investigated, defining requirements for device optimization, toward safe and practical RMBs. |
