"BATMAN" strives towards better safety, stability and performance of Li ion batteries

04.08.2022

In this M-ERA net project, an international team of researchers led by chemist and ERC awardee Jia Min Chin will develop novel separators based on thermally stable MOF/polymer composites, replacing hazardous, flammable liquid Li electrolytes.

The greening of the automotive industry towards hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates the development of light weight, high energy density batteries. As a dominant technology for EVs, Li ion battery (LIB) usage has rapidly grown in recent years. However, besides performance, LIB safety must also advance, as recent events such as accidents involving battery explosions highlight their potential dangers.

The project "BATMAN" aims to achieve improved safety, stability and LIB performance through innovations in separator materials for integration into novel LIB fabrication processes. In this context, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with their ultra-high surface areas, porosity and ionic conductivity are especially attractive as novel separator materials.

The scientists involved in "BATMAN" therefore aim to develop novel separators based on thermally stable MOF/polymer composites, replacing hazardous, flammable liquid Li electrolytes using a low-cost and environmentally friendly roll-to-roll manufacturing process based on proprietary CREOcell technology.

Scientists from Austria, Taiwan, and the Czech Republic

The project brings together international research groups from Austria (University of Vienna and the Erich Schmid Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences), Taiwan (National Taiwan University) and the Czech Republic (Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences) and a start-up company (Creonia Cells) to realize next generation LIBs utilizing innovative battery materials for a more sustainable future.

The greening of the automotive industry necessitates improved batteries (© Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay).

Jia Min Chin from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry - Functional Materials received an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2020 for her project "Mini-dynamos for higher efficiency of fuel cells" (© Michael Reithofer).