Batteries are an indispensable part of everyday life. In the watch or in the camera, they have a certain shelf life. But at the latest, if we have to recharge our phone every day, because the battery is empty again, we realize that there is still a lot of need for action and research here. In the course of energy transition, there are also other challenges such as the increase of the life span and range of electric vehicles or the possibility to store the energy from wind turbines directly.
This is exactly where the research of the collaborative project "CLUSTERBATT" comes in: The Department of Colloid Chemistry headed by Prof. Markus Antonietti will receive EUR 800,000 over a period of four years to investigate a new storage option for lithium or sodium atoms in battery anodes. Project leader Martin Oschatz wants to create the basis for novel battery anodes that will be able to guarantee battery cells with increased energy density and long service life in the future.
The focus is on developing an innovative anode concept for lithium and sodium batteries to increase energy density while preserving cycle stability compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. In the group of Martin Oschatz carbon materials are to be developed, which can store tiny particles of the metals. "This could lead to an increase in storage capacity compared to the currently established graphite. Many years of experience and expertise in the field of porous and nitrogen-doped carbons will go directly into the development of tailor-made materials," says Oschatz.
In addition, the use of available raw materials on the anode and cathode side should increase the sustainability of the overall system. With the help of prototype cells the performance and safety of these new materials is tested.
COMPAMED-tradefair.com; Source: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
