The “Sustainable Battery Materials” research group focuses on materials for next-generation energy storage devices, with particular emphasis on their performance, durability, and environmental impact. Currently, the group’s activities are centered on the development of advanced electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, as well as alternative systems such as sodium-ion and zinc-ion batteries, in addition to the recovery of critical raw materials from spent lithium-ion cells.
The group specializes in the design, synthesis, and characterization of active electrode materials. The primary focus is on investigating the influence of material composition and structure on their electrochemical properties and charge storage mechanisms, enabling the development of new materials with enhanced capacity and operational stability. An important aspect of the research involves materials that are free of critical elements or contain them only in minimal amounts.
In parallel, sustainable technologies for the recovery of critical raw materials such as Co, Ni, and Li from spent lithium-ion batteries are being developed. Hydrometallurgical methods based on organic acids are employed, in contrast to the less sustainable concentrated inorganic acids commonly used in industry. Bioleaching processes are also explored, along with direct recycling approaches for anode and cathode materials, enabling the regeneration of their structure and their direct reuse as electrode materials in new batteries.
Fundamental research is also conducted on processes occurring at the electrode–electrolyte interface in lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The quality and stability of the interphase layer formed on the anode during the first charging cycle (the solid-electrolyte interphase, SEI) are analyzed. The influence of electrolyte composition and its additives on SEI properties, gas evolution, and the growth of metallic dendrites—key processes affecting battery safety and lifetime—is investigated. Advanced solid-state characterization techniques are employed to study interfacial processes, including: (i) scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), which enables local analysis of surface reactivity and charge transport at the interface, and (ii) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
The uniqueness of the group’s approach lies in the parallel development of high-performance materials and technologies enabling efficient recovery and reuse of critical materials. The integration of material design with recycling and raw material availability considerations allows for the development of solutions that address both current technological and environmental challenges. The conducted research contributes to the advancement of scalable and sustainable energy storage systems, which are essential for the energy transition.