Innovative Lithium Passivation for Improved Li-battery Functionality

EIC Laboratories proposes to develop thin, robust passivation layers that permit the use of di-lithium-phthalocyanine (Li2Pc) superionic conductors as the ionic separator in a lithium battery. These passivation layers will establish a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) that is chemically and electronically compatible with Li2Pc. Li2Pc is advantageous as an electrolyte separator because of its high overall nearly single ion (Li+) conductivity, and nearly temperature independent ionic resistance, giving it superionic properties. However, it also has an electronic conductivity component which has made it unsuitable as a standalone electrolyte separator. In Phase I, EIC will evaluate several novel SEI options for suppressing electronic conduction in half and full cells. Phase II will entail optimization of the SEI layers and the development of Li/metal oxide and Li/oxygen batteries incorporating the new materials. BENEFIT: Batteries are used extensively in advanced aircraft electrical systems, in munitions and guns, and in drones and robotic vehicles as well as providing energy storage for expeditionary units and for a wide variety of weapons systems. Reconnaissance satellites developed and deployed by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have an ongoing requirement for reliable and long cycle life battery power, as do a wide range of other Air Force and NASA space missions. Commercially, the batteries address broad markets in consumer electronics (Laptops, cameras, DVD, radios, etc.), wireless communication devices, including GPS, WiFi, cell phones, etcc., medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable drug delivery systems and electrical stimulation prosthetics, and ultimately electric vehicles.