Karim Zaghib
Institut de Recherche d’Hydro-Québec
Hydro-Québec (HQ) inititated research on lithium metal/solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) rechargeable batteries in 1980. Since then, research on lithium-based batteries has expanded worldwide. Several new polymer and solid electrolytes with improved conductivity were developed from the improved understanding of the major parameters controlling ion migration, such as favorable polymer structure, phase diagram between solvating polymer and lithium salt and the identification of new lithium counter-anions. Despite the significant progress so far, the quest for a highly conductive dry polymer at room temperature still continues. Currently, the developers of the all-lithium polymer battery (LPB) use the option of heating the polymer electrolyte to enable high-power performance, as required for the electric vehicle and energy storage. The many LPB developers are considering the two approaches as worthy alternatives to be explored. HQ has expanded their efforts to investigate Li-air batteries based on the experience gained from R&D of Li polymer batteries.
This presentation provides an overview and summary of the progress in developing lithium-metal-based batteries made from dry polymer, ionic liquid-polymer and polymer–ceramic electrolytes for rechargeable Li polymer batteries and Li-air batteries. Some in-situ techniques will be described that allow us to control surface passivation (SEI) of lithium, which is the key challenge to obtain acceptable cycle life with these batteries.