Seminar of the IEEE Nano-Technology ACT Chapter

Australian National University

Building 160, Room4.03

Title: Designing Electrodes for Post-Lithium-Ion Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities in Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology

Speaker: Prof. Do Kyung Kim
Department of Materials Science & Engineering
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea

Abstract
The demand for sustainable, reliable batteries with high safety and energy density is increasing, especially in the context of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The research focuses on the development of sustainable, reliable, affordable, and durable batteries with high safety and acceptable energy density. The topic captures cutting-edge technologies in designing novel electrode materials and electrode/electrolyte interphases. In this talk, the focus is on lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, which is considered a promising energy storage system due to their high theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, issues such as low electrical conductivity of  sulfur and high solubility of polysulfides in the electrolyte have hindered commercialization. To overcome these problems, researchers have introduced physical encapsulation of sulfur using carbonaceous materials and chemically-modified surfaces of carbon matrices. The talk will present novel designs of electrodes that aim to improve the utilization of sulfur and cycling ability, including sulfur cathode and Li metal anode. These designs include anodic aluminum oxide templates, electrospun carbon nanofibers, and graphene quantum dots. The talk will also briefly address issues with lithium metal anode(LMA) and all-solid-state batteries(ASSB).