Project R-11540

Understanding the design, synthesis and properties of novel Na ion conducting electrolytes: toughening ionogels with organic modifications. (Research)

Sodium ion batteries are attracting great attention nowadays, e.g. for stationary energy storage. In view of safety, all solid-state sodium ion batteries are highly desired. This requires highly conductive sodium ion electrolytes to be designed and synthesized with optimal mechanical properties. In this framework, the synthesis and characteristics of sodium ion conducting ionogels will be investigated. This knowledge, together with the existing knowledge of organically modified silanes, will be used to optimize the mechanical characteristics. The conventional ionogels have a very low toughness (they are very brittle), incorporation of organic modifications can increase the toughness. Different organically modified silanes using different chemical synthesis conditions will be studied. These novel materials' functionality, will be investigated on the pristine materials, but also by the integration of these electrolytes within sodium ion batteries, adding knowledge on the interaction at interfaces. The knowledge gained this way, will further enable the design, synthesis and characterization of cathode supported electrolytes. As such, the project covers interesting fundamental questions in the field of inorganic synthesis, as well as physical and electrochemical properties.

01 October 2019 - 30 October 2020