Beyond Li-ion batteries: novel concepts and designs

Efforts are being globally spent today to boost stored energy produced by renewable sources and to encourage a sustainable electric transportation. High-energy conversion systems like batteries can satisfy these demands in an efficient way. Although Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are the best batteries on the market in terms of energy content, a drastic change is desirable to increase both energy and power performance. In this context, Li/O2 is the next generation system due to the theoretical 10-fold higher specific energy than commercial LIBs (3500 vs. 250 Wh kg-1). The aim of this PhD thesis is the development of novel concepts and cell designs with the purpose to increase the performance of the aprotic Li and Li/O2 batteries. Specifically, a novel design of electrolyte (i.e. solvent-in-salt “SIS” solutions, where the salt-to-solvent ratio is higher than 1), and an innovative concept of semi-solid lithium redox flow air (O2) battery (SLRFAB) technology, based on the use of a O2-saturated semi-solid catholyte, have been proposed.