Research Interest

Tremendous demand for better performances of Li-ion battery toward full electrification stimulates developing high-capacity active materials which can overcome the theoretical energy limit of conventional batteries. While a lot of effort has been dedicated to the development of high-capacity active materials, their practical application is still restricted by several critical issues. Specifically, high-capacity Si anodes, which are regarded as the most rational pathway for boosting energy density, suffer huge volume changes (~300%) during the battery operation. Not only focusing on Si anodes, we are also investigating the feasible solution for the practical limits of various high-capacity active materials based on electrochemistry, material science/engineering, and the understanding on the battery.

The electrolyte plays a crucial role in determining battery performance and reliability by transporting Li-ion and forming an interfacial layer. The conventional batteries were successfully established by the usage of ethylene carbonate (EC)-containing electrolytes, the game changer of anode system, which stabilize graphite anode against exfoliation via the formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). However, as the state-of-the-art active materials emerging, such as Si and Li metal anode, the innovative electrolytes are required to suppress detrimental phenomena (continuous side reaction and Li dendrite formation) at the interface between electrode and electrolyte. Our work focuses on designing novel non-aqueous electrolytes for realizing highly reversible and high-energy Li battery systems.