Alkali-Metal-Ion Batteries

Our research into battery systems focuses on the development of innovative, safe and sustainable electrolytes.

Schematic representation of the materials of a battery cell pouch format.

Picture: Christian Leibing

Secondary batteries (accumulators) are electrochemical energy storage devices that store and release charge through electrochemical (redox) reactions. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs for short) in particular have become an integral part of modern life, powering everything from small electronic devices to electric vehicles (EVs). They essentially consist of three main components: a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. The electrolyte, often referred to as the “blood circuit” of a battery, plays a central role in transporting ions between the electrodes and has a major impact on the performance, safety and lifespan of the battery.

We are interested in the detailed study of the complex interaction of salts, solvents and additives to develop electrolytes for modern energy storage technologies. Our work aims to overcome the current limitations of advanced battery systems by developing electrolytes that provide a broader electrochemical stability window to enable the use of high voltage cathodes (e.g. high nickel cathodes), reduce flammability and safety risks, form stable interphases on electrodes and operate optimally over a wider temperature range.

In addition to lithium-ion batteries, we are concentrating in particular on sodium- and potassium-ion-based systems, which can offer an advantage over LIBs in terms of raw materials and costs. Research into sustainable, i.e. low-fluorinated and biomass-based electrolyte components is also of particular importance. Among other things, this approach should improve the recyclability of electrolytes (see Recycling).

  • Publications

    K.S. Teoh, M. Melchiorre, S. Darlami Magar, C. Leibing, F. Ruffo, J.L. Gómez‐Urbano, A. Balducci, Small, 21 (2025) 2407850.

    Y. Lu, M.N. Aslam, C. Leibing, M. Zarrabeitia, L. Roselli, L.F. Pfeiffer, P. Axmann, J. Geisler, P. Adelhelm, A. Balducci, Small, (2025) 2410704.

    L.C. Meyer, A.K. Thiagarajan, A. Koposov, A. Balducci, Energy Storage Materials, 75 (2025) 104021.

Related Projects

  • Project logo ALISTORE
    Picture: ALISTORE-ERI
    ALISTORE ERIExternal link

    ALISTORE ERI was created in the framework of a 5-year EC funded FP6 Network of Excellence (starting in 2004) and currently federates 19 institutions performing cross cutting high level research in the field of batteries and battery materials.

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Investigators

  1. Demarthe, Nicolas, Dr Postdoc, Project: LignUp Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 210
    Philosophenweg 7a
    07743 Jena

    Dr. Nicolas Demarthe
    Image: Desirée Leistenschneider
  2. Gómez Urbano, Juan Luis, Dr Independent Researcher Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry
    Dr. Juan Luis Gómez Urbano
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
  3. Khan, Abbas, Dr Postdoc, Project: SIGNE Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 127
    Lessingstraße 14
    07743 Jena

    Dr. Abbas Khan
    Image: Desirée Leistenschneider
  4. Leibing, Christian, Dr Postdoc, Topic: Glyoxylic-Acetal-Based Electrolytes Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry
    Christian Leibing
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
  5. Aslam, Muhammad Nouman PhD Student, Project: TransitionTransfer Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 129
    Humboldtstraße 8
    07743 Jena

    Muhammad Nouman Aslam
    Image: Desirée Leistenschneider
  6. Klein, Michel PhD Student, Topic: High Voltage Batteries, Corrosion Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 126
    Lessingstraße 14
    07743 Jena

    Michel Klein
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
  7. Lu, Yiyue PhD Student, Project: TransitionTransfer Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 129
    Humboldtstraße 8
    07743 Jena

    Yiyue Lu
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
  8. Teoh, Khai Shin PhD Student, Topic: Biobased Electrolyte Solvents Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry

    Room R 127
    Lessingstraße 14
    07743 Jena

    Khai Shin Teoh
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
  9. Alfes, Lulu Master Student, Topic: Antimony Based Anodes Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry
  10. Kremer, Tom Nelson Master Student, Topic: Potassium-Ion Batteries Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry
    Tom Kremer
    Image: Tom Kremer
  11. Kühn, Ferris Master Student, Topic: Sodium-Ion Batteries Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry