| Project Detail |
Novel solid-state electrolytes for sodium-air batteries
Sodium-air batteries are emerging as a viable alternative to lithium-ion technology. Sodium is more abundant than lithium and thus cheaper, while the lighter weight, porous air cathodes can attain greater energy densities. However, conventional electrolytes used in such batteries are unstable, which eventually leads to battery failure. Furthermore, as the electrolytes are liquid, they can leak from the inside of the battery and come into contact with air or water. Funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OXBLOLYTE project will overcome these issues by developing novel solid-state electrolytes. The proposed electrolytes will be based on a unique class of microporous materials – polymers of intrinsic microporosity – and conducting organic ionic plastic crystals.
The EU’s notion to become climate neutral in 2050, as per the EU Green Deal, strives to transform the economy through advancements in clean renewable energy. While rechargeable Li-ion batteries sustain the current market for energy storage, they cannot continue to achieve the transformative scale of improvement required due to the finite supply of lithium, and their limited energy storage capacities, among others. Sodium-air batteries (NaBs) provide an attractive alternative due to the abundance of sodium – thus low cost – and their lightweight porous air cathodes to reach greater energy densities. Today’s traditional electrolytes are unstable towards Na metal and radical species generated during cycling, allowing oxygen crossover to the anode, which results in battery failure. Moreover, their liquid nature leads to evaporation and leakage issues. OXBLOLYTE Postdoctoral Fellowship will overcome these challenges by developing novel solid-state electrolytes based on Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity membranes combined with conducting Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal materials. In parallel to these practical concerns, OXBLOLYTE will unravel mechanistic understanding of solid-state NaBs– a field currently unexplored - to allow the correct choice of electrolyte.
The research fellow, Dr. Yahia (with expertise in polymer membranes), will conduct the OXBLOLYTE project at CIC energiGUNE (Spain) with the host supervisor, Dr. Ortiz-Vitoriano (pioneer in the relevant research field) which includes mechanical property studies under the supervisor of Dr. Sardon (with expertise in polymers) at Polymat (Spain). OXBLOLYTE facilitates the transfer of 3 I’s knowledge whilst diversifying Dr. Yahia’s networks and leadership skills to further advance his career perspectives and employability. As a result, OXBLOBLYTE will lead to research outputs that will be disseminated to the general public, scientific community and industry with the final aim to enlarge its exploitation potential. |
