MINATEC

Lithium batteries are currently developped for many applications and especially for the electric vehicles. It appears necessary to improve their power, density of energy and lifetime. They are formed of two insertion electrodes of lithium ions and an electrolyte. It is well known that upon cycling a passivation layer is developped on electrode called solid electrolyte interface (or SEI).

Lithium batteries are currently developped for many applications and especially for the electric vehicles. It appears necessary to improve their power, density of energy and lifetime. They are formed of two insertion electrodes of lithium ions and an electrolyte. It is well known that upon cycling a passivation layer is developped on electrode called solid electrolyte interface (or SEI). These layers are necessary to avoid the electrolyte degradation but they should be highly permeable to lithium ions. The objective of the PhD thesis will be the characterization of these layers (composition, thickness, porosity, ...) using techniques such as the scanning electrochemical microscopy, the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) combined with nanomechanical and infrared measurements. X-ray and/or neutron relectivity will be tentatively used for additional characterization. This basic research study will be performed in collaboration with a technical research team on more or less aged electrodes and model support and in situ analysis protocols will be developped.