Li-ion batteries
Porous silicon anodes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries
We are developing porous silicon anode materials using various synthesis methods, including electrochemical etching, metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE), and metal reduction, to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Our research focuses on key strategies to enhance electrochemical performance:
- Pore structure engineering – Tailoring pore size and porosity to accommodate silicon’s volume expansion, improving structural stability and cycle life.
- Surface functionalization – Enhancing electrical conductivity, stabilizing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and ensuring long-term cycling stability.
- High-silicon-content Si/C composites – Developing silicon-carbon composites with high silicon loading to boost energy density while maintaining mechanical integrity.
- Advanced characterization – Employing state-of-the-art techniques to investigate electrochemical mechanisms, degradation pathways, and material behavior under real-world conditions.
In the image, we showcase the use of agricultural waste—rice husk—as a sustainable silicon source to produce bio-based silicon. This approach reduces dependence on energy-intensive silicon production while advancing a circular economy. We collaborate with partners to conduct life cycle assessments, assessing the scalability, environmental impact, and sustainability of bio-silicon anodes for next-generation green energy storage solutions.
Cathode materials and development for next-generation LIBs
As energy demands continue to rise, the development of advanced cathode materials remains central to enabling safer batteries with higher energy densities and longer cycle life.
- Cathode materials design and synthesis The group is dedicated to advancing cathode materials by designing and synthesizing a diverse portfolio of compounds—including layered oxides, high-voltage spinels, and polyanion-based structures—engineered for improved structural stability, enhanced safety, and long-term cycling performance. Strategies such as surface coating, elemental doping, composition tuning, and single-crystal engineering are employed to mitigate mechanical degradation and optimize cathode–electrolyte interfacial stability. Advanced characterization techniques, including synchrotron-based X-ray probes, further elucidate structure–property relationships, providing critical insights that drive the development of next-generation cathode materials.
- Battery ageing and degradation mechanisms Battery ageing and degradation, including under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, low temperatures, and fast charging, are studied by examining the structural and interfacial evolution of electrodes during cycling. The goal is to identify key failure mechanisms and guide the design of more stable materials and interfaces to enhance battery durability and safety.
- Sustainable battery electrode processing In pursuit of sustainable battery technologies, the team is developing aqueous-processable cathodes (e.g. Ni-rich cathodes) alongside fluorine-free binder systems to replace conventional toxic components such as PVDF and NMP. By optimizing processing parameters through controlled solution chemistry, the research enhances electrode compatibility and promotes efficient materials recovery, laying the groundwork for a circular battery economy.
