Lithium Sulfur Superbattery Exploitating Nanotechnology (LISSEN)

Research Project, 2012 – 2015

This project is aimed to the identification and development of nanostructured electrode and electrolyte materials to promote the practical implementation of the very high energy lithium-sulfur battery. In particular, the project will be directed to the definition and test of a new, lithium metal-free battery figuration based on the use of lithiated sili as the anode and a nanostructured sulfur-carbon composite as the cathode. It is expected that this battery will offer an energy density at least three times higher than that available from the present lithium battery technology, a comparatively long cycle life, a much lower cost (replacement of cobalt-based with a sulfur-based cathode) and a high safety degree (no use of lithium metal). All the necessary steps for reaching this goal are sidered, starting from material synthesis and characterization, exploiting nanotechnology for improving rate capability and fast charging, the fabrication and test of large scale prototypes and to the completion of the cycle by setting the ditions for the recycling process. A team of experts have been selected as partners of the project, including a number of academic laboratories, all with worldwide recognized experience in the lithium battery field, whose task will be that of defining the most appropriate electrode and electrolyte nanostructures. The project will benefit by the support of a laboratory expert in battery modeling to provide the theoretical guidelines for materials optimization. Large research laboratories, having advanced and modern battery producing machineries will be involved in the preparation and test of middle size battery prototypes. Finally, chemical and battery manufacturing industries will assure the necessary materials scaling-up and the fabrication and test of large batteries and particular attention will be devoted to the trol of the safety and to definition and practical demonstration of its most appropriate recycling process.