MEET PhD Student Ibrahim Lawan Abdullahi Wins Poster Prize
For his poster “Lithium Squarate as Sacrificing Electrolyte Additive for Prelithiation: Case Study in Zero-Excess Lithium Metal Batteries ” Ibrahim Lawan Abdullahi, PhD student at MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster and the International Graduate School BACCARA, was awarded at this year's BACCARA Power Day. In his work, Ibrahim Lawan Abdullahi investigated the prelithiation of zero-excess lithium metal batteries (ZELMB) using a sacrificing additive. “These batteries are simple in handling and have a high active lithium loss (ALL), which makes them ideal for the research and development of sacrificing additives,” explains the MEET scientist. His analysis focused specifically on the sacrificing additive lithium squarate.
Oxidation of the Sacrificing Additive Varies
When incorporated via the cathode, it oxidizes in the first charge at high voltage and provides extra lithium to compensate for active lithium loss in ZELMB. However, upon the additive oxidation, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases evolve, leading to the cathode composite ruptures, color change, and residues. “But if the lithium squarate is incorporated via the electrolyte, the additive oxidation is absent,” says Ibrahim Lawan Abdullahi. “One possible explanation is its reductive depletion during the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI).”
Co-authors of the poster are Alexandros Tsoufios, Dr Anindityo Arifiadi, Nick Fehlings, Silvan Stuckenberg, Dr Lukas Stolz, Dr Dominik Voigt und Dr Johannes Kasnatscheew, MEET Battery Research Center, as well as Prof. Dr Martin Winter, MEET Battery Research Center and Helmholtz Institute Münster.
About the BACCARA Power Day
The BACCARA Power Day, a one-day conference held in Münster at the end of September, provided insights into the latest developments in materials, modeling, and next-generation battery technologies. Julia Dressler from the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry at the University of Münster won another poster prize. The prize for the best poster pitch was awarded to Jonathan Bäthge.