The goal of OPHELIA is to obtain significant advances in the comprehension of the structural, morphological, and electronic features of novel cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) in operating condition, i.e., during the progress of the electrochemical reactions. Operando measurements allow continuous monitoring of the system dynamics and involve here core level spectroscopies in both hard and soft X-ray regimes, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.
High entropy oxides (HEOs) are currently regarded as promising candidates for the production of all lithium ion battery (LIB) components. However, notwithstanding the great potential of these active materials, only a few of reports are presently available in the literature on HEO-based SIB cathodes. The focus is here on this emerging chemistry and on the development of a green sodium-based energy storage technology.
The ambition of the OPHELIA project is to i) design novel and sustainable HEO-based cathode materials, and ii) extend the fundamental knowledge on their electrochemical reactions towards battery application. We plan to tackle these challenges i) by considering synthetic routes with lower environmental impact compared to that currently utilized for the HEO production and by preferring abundant/cheap raw precursors and ii) by employing operando modality for an in-depth characterization of the material behavior under realistic conditions. A better understanding of the mechanisms controlling the operation of these electrodes is undoubtedly the key to improve their performance. The knowledge acquired with this project is therefore a step forward towards the realization of durable, innovative, low-cost electrodes with high potential for industrial applications.
The project is organized in three science-driven work packages, which correspond to the following stimulating activities: WP1) Synthesis and characterization of sodiated HEO; WP2) cathode preparation, electrochemical testing and modeling; WP3) Operando investigation, plus WP4) a work package dedicated to the management, dissemination & exploitation.
The proponents are based at universities belonging to the Italian National Reference Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems (GISEL) of the National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM). All of them have a strong track record in either operando methods in electrochemistry or synthesis and characterization, and also a proved track record in attracting, training and supervising young researchers.