Jonas Hehn

Interface effects in polymer-based hybrid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries

Researchers have been focusing on the development of novel Lithium-ion conductive solid electrolytes for decades. These materials are intended to replace the flammable and therefore unsafe liquid electrolytes used in conventional Li-ion batteries. Generally, there are two types of solid electrolytes: inorganic solid electrolytes that can have, for example, high Li-ion conductivity but poor interfacial compatibility with the electrodes, and on the other hand there are elastic polymer-based electrolytes which possess good interfacial compatibilities with the electrodes, but often poor ionic conductivity especially at room temperature. ^[1,2]

In this project, I combine the two aforementioned types of electrolyte to synthesize polymer-based hybrid solid electrolytes. For this purpose, I will investigate new but also already known Li-compounds in combination with polymers and inorganic fillers. The synthesized materials will be characterized using a variety of techniques. The goal is to understand how interface effects at the polymer-Li salt-filler material interfaces influence the ionic conductivity and other electrochemical properties of the hybrid electrolytes. Particular emphasis will also be placed on a detailed understanding of the interface formation and the interaction between the hybrid electrolyte and the electrodes. The fundamental knowledge is crucial to developing new electrolytes with tailor-made properties for applications in all-solid-state Li-ion batteries.

[1]          X. Yu, A. Manthiram, Energy Storage Mater., 2021, 34, 282-300.              

[2]          Y. Zhai, G. Yang, Z. Zeng, S. Song, S. Li, N. Hu, W. Tang, Z. Wen, L. Lu, J. Molenda, ACS Appl. Energy Mater., 2021, 4, 7973−7982.

C.V.

2022 – Present

PhD Candidate in the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University

Project under supervision of dr. Peter Ngene and prof. dr. Petra de Jongh.

2019-2022

Master in Chemistry, Heidelberg University

Master thesis at the hte GmbH, “Mechanistic studies on the catalytic deoxygenation and hydrocracking of triglycerides”

Research internships at ACI & OCI (University Heidelberg), in the Radiopharmacy at the University Hospital Heidelberg and at the hte GmbH

2015-2019

Bachelor in Chemistry and Geography, Heidelberg University

1996

Born in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany