Modelling the Molecular World of Electrolytes and Interfaces : Delving into Li-Metal Batteries

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are potential candidates for powering portable electronic devices and for electromobility. However, utilizing the reactive Li metal electrode means tackling serious challenges in terms of safety risks. A better understanding of electrolytes and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation are highly important in order to improve these issues. In this thesis, density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) are used to explore novel electrolyte systems and the interfacial chemistry of electrolyte/Li metal surfaces. In the first part, the electronic structure and possible decompositions pathways of organic carbonates at the Li metal surface are investigated, which provide information about initial SEI formation. Computed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for these interfacial compounds is used as a tool to find likely electrolyte decomposition pathways and are supported by direct comparison with the experimental results. The electronic structure and computed XPS spectra of electrolyte solvents and the LiNO3 additive on Li metal by DFT provide atomistic insights into the interphase layer. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are promising electrolytes to be used with the Li metal electrode. In the second part of the thesis, MD simulations of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) doped with LiTFSI salt/Li metal interface demonstrate the impact of the surface on the structure and dynamics of the electrolyte. A new interfacial potential model for MD simulations is also developed for the interactions at the SPE/metal interface, which can better capture this chemical interplay. Moreover, the approach to improve the ionic conductivity of SPEs by adding side-chains to the backbone of polymers is scrutinized through MD simulations of the poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) system. While providing polymer flexibility, a hindering effects of the side-chains on Li+ ion diffusions through reduced coordination site connectivity is observed. In the final part, different polymer hosts interacting with Li metal are explored, and rapid decomposition of polycarbonates and polyester on the surface is seen. The complexes of these polymers with LiTFSI and LiFSI showed significant changes in the computed electrochemical stability window and salt degradations. Lastly, Li2O was obtained by DFT calculations as a thermodynamically stable layer on the surface of the Li metal oxidized by PEO. The modelling studies performed in this thesis highlight the applicability of these techniques in order to probe the SEI and electrolyte properties in LMBs at the atomistic level