Co-Free Cathodes with Fluorine-free Electrolytes for Next-Generation Lithium Batteries

High-energy density, critical material-free lithium batteries require innovative electrolytes to meet the evolving performance demands of modern;applications. This collaborative effort aims to develop novel fluorine-free electrolyte formulations tailored for high-performance nickel-rich, cobalt-free;cathodes in prototype lithium batteries. Leveraging the R&D capabilities of Deakin University and IIT Madras, the project will focus on synthesizing new;electrolyte formulations using fluorine-free lithium salts with functionalized anions, alongside optimized nickel-rich and cobalt-free cathode materials.;These prototype batteries will be tested under high voltage and extreme fast charge/discharge conditions, enhancing the cathode-electrolyte interface;and addressing a critical gap in modern battery research. The collaboration between IIT Madras and Deakin University aims to systematically tackle this;need through the following objectives: Objective 1: This work package focuses on the synthesis, morphological optimization, physicochemical;characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of high-energy density Ni-rich, Co-free cathodes. Techniques such as electron microscopy;(SEM/HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) will optimize morphology, crystallography, and surface-specific;chemical species. Electrochemical evaluation will use cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge/discharge (CD), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with;commercial electrolytes in half-cell configurations for benchmarking. These cathodes will be synthesized by the HDR student and evaluated at IIT;Madras under the supervision of Dr Muralidharan. Objective 2: This package aims to synthesize novel electrolytes using fluorine-free lithium salts and;ionic liquids developed at Deakin by Dr Kar’s research team. The HDR student will work closely with Dr Kar to study the physicochemical properties as a;function of lithium salt content in electrolytes to understand the structure-property relationships, optimizing lithium transport properties. FT-IR and XRD;will characterize the new salts, while CV techniques will assess the electrochemical stability of the electrolytes. Comprehensive physico-chemical and;electrochemical analyses will be conducted at Deakin-IFM. Objective 3: Using the optimized materials from Objective 1 and Objective 2, this package will;evaluate the long-term compatibility of the selected cathodes and electrolyte formulations in prototype full cells. Using the capabilities of Battery;Research and Innovation Hub (BattRI-Hub) at Deakin University, the student will fabricate full lithium batteries with graphite/lithium anodes will be;assembled and tested under standard and extreme fast charge (XFC) cycling conditions. Post-test diagnostics will analyze electrode surfaces using SEM;and EDX to study battery failure mechanisms, while XPS will characterize electrolyte degradation. Both collaborating organizations will perform;complementary diagnostics to explore interactions between the IIT Madras-synthesized cathodes and Deakin-formulated electrolytes