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 battery's performance, safety, and lifespan

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 lithium-ion batteries 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

    KS Teoh, M. Melchiorre, S. Darlami Magar, C. Leibing, F. Ruffo, JL Gómez-Urbano, A. Balducci, Small 2025, 21, 2407850.

    Y. Lu, MN Aslam, C. Leibing, M. Zarrabeitia, L. Roselli, LF Pfeiffer, P. Axmann, J. Geisler, P. Adelhelm, A. Balducci, Small 2025, 2410704.

    LC Meyer, AK Thiagarajan, A. Koposov, A. Balducci, Energy Storage Materials 2025, 75, 104021.

Related Projects

  • ALISTORE ERI

    External 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.

    Project logo ALISTORE
    Picture: ALISTORE-ERI
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Investigators

  10. Kremer, Tom Nelson

    Master Student, Topic: Potassium-Ion Batteries Professorship of Applied Electrochemistry
    Tom Kremer
    Image: Tom Kremer