Molecular-Level Engineering of Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries

Date	02 Oct 2024
Time	5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (HKT)
Venue	Lecture Theatre T4, Meng Wah Complex
Speaker	Prof. Ali Coskun
Institution	Department of Chemistry University of Fribourg

Title:

Schedule:

Date: 2^nd October, 2024 (Friday)

Time: 5 - 6 pm (HKT)

Venue: Lecture Theatre T4, Meng Wah Complex

Speaker:

Prof. Ali Coskun

Department of Chemistry

University of Fribourrg

Biography:

Prof. Ali Coskun received his PhD in Chemistry at the Middle East Technical University. Afterward, he did his postdoctoral research with Prof. Fraser Stoddart at Northwestern University. In 2012, He started his independent career at the Graduate School of EEWS and the Department of Chemistry in the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). In 2017, he moved to University of Fribourg, Switzerland as a Professor. He is currently developing porous organic polymers for CO2 capture, separation, and conversion, heterogeneous catalysis, environmental remediation, and high-energy density Li-ion batteries. He has published more than 140 articles, and reviews in leading chemistry and materials journals and has an h-index of 65. His research efforts have been recently recognized by Swiss Green and Sustainable Chemistry 2023 award as well as 2023 ACS Global Outstanding Mentor Award in Polymer Science and Engineering.

Abstract:

The development of new solvents and co-solvents is crucial for lithium metal batteries due to the incompatibility of conventional carbonates and the narrow electrochemical windows of ether-based electrolytes. Although fluorinated ethers exhibit improved electrochemical stability, they struggle to solvate lithium ions effectively. The challenge in electrolyte chemistry lies in combining the high voltage stability of fluorinated ethers with the high Li ion solvation ability of ethers in a single molecule while maintaining good ionic conductivity. To address this, we have recently introduced a series of new solvents and co-solvents compatible with Li metal anodes and high-voltage cathodes. This presentation will provide key insights into the design of new electrolytes and solvents, their impact on the solvation structure, and the resulting electrochemical performance of lithium metal batteries with high operating voltages. Additionally, the influence of solvation structure, controlled through both electrolyte chemistry and engineering, on the composition, morphology, and homogeneity of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) will be highlighted. We will also discuss the factors affecting the corrosion of Li metal anode as well as new approaches for battery recycling.

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