self-assembled/healable Hybrid inorganic/Organic Polymer Electrolytes for sustainable electrochemical energy Storage

Threatened by climate change, mankind is facing increasing demands for energy (generation, conversion, and storage) solutions to meet societal needs in a globalized economy. Energy and cost-efficient sustainable batteries will be instrumental in reaching climate-neutral (EU) continent by 2050 and UN SDG N°7 objectives by storing intermittent energy resources and enabling a green transport revolution. To address these grand challenges, the project HOPES targets safer-by-design self-healing All-Solid-State Alkali Metal Batteries (ASSAMBs), thus implementing a paradigm shift going beyond the ubiquitous Lithium-ion Battery (LiB) technology. Taking Lithium Metal Batteries (LMBs) as a post-LiB blueprint for ASSAMBs, Solid-State Hybrid Electrolytes (SSHEs) will be developed through a circular chemistry approach to enable LMBs, facilitating their inception onto the market. Within HOPES, we will i) develop mechanically, thermally, electrochemically tough self-healable and recyclable SSHEs through the colloidal self-assembly of nanosized building blocks consisting of inorganic core and end-group (vitrimer functionality)-functionalized Li+ conducting polycarbonate shell: Hairy NanoParticles (HNPs), and ii) establish multi-scale structure/property correlations with advanced characterization techniques at HNP, SSHE, and LMB levels, including synchrotron-based in situ and operando characterizations on operating LMBs. Depolymerization of HNP’s organic shell will trigger the disassembly of SSHEs, thereby authorizing the recovery & reuse of inorganic NP cores and (bio-based/sourced) cyclocarbonate monomers, but also the recycling & reuse of (NMC811) cathode and Li° anode to secure critical/strategic minerals and metals in EU. In line with roadmaps of the FET-Flagship Battery 2030+ initiative & EBA250, HOPES will act as a springboard to realize ambitions and objectives of the EU Green Deal, thus contributing to position EU as a major research player and battery manufacturer by 2030.