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| Reference Number | UKRI913 | |
| Title | ElectroBioLiS | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies (Energy storage) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 50%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 50%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
MIchael Thielke Queen Mary University of London |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 24 July 2025 | |
| End Date | 24 July 2028 | |
| Duration | 36 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £476,753 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Unknown | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Energy and Decarbonisation | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | MIchael Thielke , Queen Mary University of London |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Electrospun composite cathodes combining inverse vulcanised sulfur polymers can contribute to fully exploit the potential of lithium sulfur batteries by combining the high surface area from the electrospun 1D nanofibres with the inclusion of high sulfur content copolymers, enabling faster charging rates, using a fully scalable processing technique. In a comparison with commercially available lithium-ion batteries for mobile applications, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries exhibit a high theoretical specific energy of 2600 Wh/kg, at least three times higher than the current lithium ion battery technology, making it a great contender for high energy applications in mobile devices. Yet the use of Li-S faces major hurdles, which stem from sulfur's lack of processability and insulating nature, as well polysulfide shuttle effect, all of which leads to the loss of capacity and degradation of the lithium anode through the formation of lithium sulfide. My fellowship will address these issues by using spinnable sulfur-rich copolymers in combination with conductive carbon particles and a stabilising high molecular (bio-) polymeric carrier to a non-woven fibre mat, which can be directly used as a cathode in a lithium sulfur battery without the need to making an ink to deposit onto a current collector. The interaction with the surface area of the electrospun fibres will result in an outstanding high electrochemical active surface area, while providing a stable matrix from the fibrous structure that prevent polysulfide shuttle effect. I envisage the new developed Li-S batteries to display initial capacities >1300 mA h g-1 and capacity retention of > 80% after 100 cycles, compared to current Li-S batteries with conventional sulfur electrodes which exhibit capacities of 300–500 mA h g–1 and capacity retention < 50% after 50 cycles. The outcome of this research will contribute significantly to advancing Li-S battery technology. Moreover, these new electrodes will be fully recyclable and there are plans within the fellowship to conduct life cycle assessment to explore the feasibility of the recycling process as well as technoeconomic analysis of the newly developed cathode materials. Additionally, as I develop the new electrodes, I plan to substitute some of the carbon components by biomass waste materials, such as lignin, which I have extensive experience working with. In preliminary experiments, I have demonstrated the feasibility of producing sulfur-based fibres as cathode in a Li-S battery. This fellowship takes the research to the next level which involves further tailoring of the fibres and optimisation of the conductivity for optimal application as electrode, including their application in Na-S batteries, too. I believe this project will have a positive impact in the battery community and beyond. Sulfur co-polymers have shown to exhibit outstanding capabilities in domains such as mercury capture from aqueous solutions, application for which freestanding fibre mats with large surface area would be highly beneficial | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 29/10/25 | |
