Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Waterloo
$90,000.00
Development of solid electrolytes based on novel oxirane-based polymers
EF 2024-25
Résumé
The electrification of automobiles and the development of clean energy sources are the two main priorities on the agenda of Canada. To achieve a smooth and rapid transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), there is a strong demand for rechargeable batteries with high energy density, high safety, low cost, and long life. The same is true for the need for rechargeable batteries to store electricity generated by clean energy sources such as solar cells, hydropower, and wind energy.
This project to be conducted by the teams from the U. Waterloo (UW) and Advanced Polymer Materials (APM) will develop innovative polymer solid electrolytes (PSEs) based on specialty polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enable solid-state lithium batteries. PEO/PEG can be readily synthesized from inexpensive ethylene oxide, thereby having excellent commercialization potential to manufacture low-cost solid electrolytes. However, PSEs based on PEO/PEG have low ion conductivity and poor mechanical properties to meet the requirements of solid-state batteries. The combined expertise of UW and APM will address the issues through novel molecular design and nanoengineering. Specifically, APM will provide the proposed project with a large library of different types of specialty PEO/PEG polymers, as well as extensive knowledge in designing and synthesizing novel PEO/PEGs and experience to meet the specific requirements of PSEs. The UW team will prepare PSEs using PEO/PEG provided by APM and test the new PSEs in lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and organic batteries.
A widespread application of this technology will reduce the use of fossil fuels, cut down greenhouse gas emissions, and boost the Canadian economy. The knowledge, expertise, and technology created by this research will be applicable across Canada's chemical, clean energy, automotive industries, and some other industries. Through this proposed research project, highly qualified personnel (HQP) working in these industries will be trained.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
581429-2023
Name nom
Li, Yuning Y
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
90000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
3751
Research subject group en
Polymer chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie des polymères
Research subject en
Polymer synthesis
Research subject fr
Synthèse des polymères
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Development of solid electrolytes based on novel oxirane-based polymers
Keywords
battery lifetime; ion conductivity; lithium ion battery; lithium sulfur battery; organic battery; oxirane-based polymers; polyethylene glycol (peg); polyethylene oxide (peo); polymer solid electrolyte; solid electrolyte
Application summary
The electrification of automobiles and the development of clean energy sources are the two main priorities on the agenda of Canada. To achieve a smooth and rapid transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), there is a strong demand for rechargeable batteries with high energy density, high safety, low cost, and long life. The same is true for the need for rechargeable batteries to store electricity generated by clean energy sources such as solar cells, hydropower, and wind energy.
This project to be conducted by the teams from the U. Waterloo (UW) and Advanced Polymer Materials (APM) will develop innovative polymer solid electrolytes (PSEs) based on specialty polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enable solid-state lithium batteries. PEO/PEG can be readily synthesized from inexpensive ethylene oxide, thereby having excellent commercialization potential to manufacture low-cost solid electrolytes. However, PSEs based on PEO/PEG have low ion conductivity and poor mechanical properties to meet the requirements of solid-state batteries. The combined expertise of UW and APM will address the issues through novel molecular design and nanoengineering. Specifically, APM will provide the proposed project with a large library of different types of specialty PEO/PEG polymers, as well as extensive knowledge in designing and synthesizing novel PEO/PEGs and experience to meet the specific requirements of PSEs. The UW team will prepare PSEs using PEO/PEG provided by APM and test the new PSEs in lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and organic batteries.
A widespread application of this technology will reduce the use of fossil fuels, cut down greenhouse gas emissions, and boost the Canadian economy. The knowledge, expertise, and technology created by this research will be applicable across Canada's chemical, clean energy, automotive industries, and some other industries. Through this proposed research project, highly qualified personnel (HQP) working in these industries will be trained.
