The electrode materials reacting according to the conversion mechanism instead of intercalation have a large potential for new Li battery aspects due to their high theoretical specific capacity and charge density. However, the problem of bad cycling stability must be solved first. In particular, the understanding of the conversion mechanism and the reasons for the difference between the first reaction during the materials formation and the following oxidation-reduction cycles is essential to stimulate a further progress in the stabilization of the electrodes. Two stabilization strategies are proposed that are based on the addition of selected elements forming metal-oxide nanocomposites. The additional elements should either stabilise the electrode material chemically or contribute to the formation of electrically conductive networks in or at the electrode. The solution of this very complex problem is only possible via interlinking the complementary expertises of four research groups that will work in the fields of (1) the synthesis and electrochemical characterisation of variable 3d transition metal containing nanooxides (“playing with atoms”), (2) the theoretical and experimental thermodynamic investigation of the electrochemical reaction in the first and second cycle, (3) the description and explanation of the changes in microstructure during this electrochemical treatment, and (4) the development of new electrolyte components. The sub-projects (2-4) will investigate selected synthesized materials synthesized within (1). The iteratively achieved results of of (1-4) will cause new concepts for better cycling stability of the developed materials.

Subproject 1 (Prof. Ehrenberg)

Subproject 2 (Prof. Rafaja)

 Subproject 3 (Prof. Seifert)

Subproject 4 (Prof. Winter)