Research Projects

Aqueous rechargeable Li-ion batteries are becoming popular because they are cheaper, safer, and better for the environment than traditional batteries that use organic solvents. Electrolytes play an essential role in aqueous Li-ion batteries. They are vital for ensuring the batteries work efficiently. However, the narrow electrochemical stability window of approximately 1.23 V for aqueous-based electrolytes limits the range of electrode materials that can be employed. This leads to a reduced energy density in comparison to traditional Li-ion batteries. Furthermore, the degradation of the cathode in an aqueous-based environment causes a faster loss of capacity. In addition, side reactions further reduce coulombic efficiency. To date, almost no aqueous Li-ion battery has been commercialized yet. The proposed project is composed of five work packages. In-depth foundational research on material design and preparation, along with battery construction and performance assessment, is compulsory to resolve the above problems. To achieve this goal, a research project is being proposed that focuses on two key strategies: first, the development of a new NASICON based solid electrolyte that has a conductivity greater than 10−3 S/cm at room temperature, along with a wide electrochemical stability window of over 3.4 V against Li/Li+, presents a promising strategy to address above challenges. The second strategy incorporates the use of water in a salt electrolyte, referred to as WISE. Additionally, a NASICON-type solid electrolyte will be prepared by utilizing different dopant and sintering agent compositions through either the solid-state reaction process or the sol-gel technique. In this initiative, we will first focus on developing high-performance cathode and anode materials, as well as designing compatible electrolytes, including water-in-salt electrolytes (WISE) and composite solid electrolytes, utilizing theoretical calculations and innovative material fabrication methods. Following this, we will investigate the energy storage mechanisms of lithium-ion cells using cutting-edge electrochemical characterization techniques. Based on this, we will construct aqueous Li-ion cells using the novel materials obtained in this work and evaluate their electrochemical performances. The outcomes of this project will enhance the fundamental battery science knowledge base and provide a technical support framework for the future implementation of aqueous lithium-ion batteries as an electrochemical energy storage solution. We also propose the development of lithium-ion pouch cells with an energy density exceeding 350 Whkg⁻¹. This will represent the first demonstration of pouch cells in India.