Abstract

The battery interfaces critically govern energy density, cycle life, and safety. Yet, ex situ and destructive characterization methods often face limitations due to weak signal intensity and interfacial fragility. In this talk, I will discuss the surface science approaches tailored to probe battery interfaces, highlighting their practical applications. I will discuss the angle-resolved spectroscopy for resolving complex interfacial speciation and introduce high resolution electrocapillarity for electrical double layer (EDL) study. This section will underscore how advanced characterization methods can unlock deeper insights into interfacial phenomena, paving the way for more efficient and stable energy storage systems.

In second part of talk, I will present our breakthrough in electrochemical leaching for lithium extraction from ore minerals like α-phase spodumene. Our method achieves 92.2% leaching efficiency at room temperature using dilute acid, by passing the energy-intensive phase conversion required in conventional approaches. Key to this success is an innovative additive that slashes leaching potential by facilitating electron transfer and altering reaction pathways. By optimizing the leaching potential, we simultaneously maximize Faraday efficiency and minimize energy consumption. This electrochemical strategy not only outperforms traditional leaching methods but also reduces environmental impact, offering a scalable pathway to decarbonize lithium production.

Biography

Dr. Feifei Shi currently serves as assistant professor of energy engineering in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. Shi holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Fudan University, China in 2010, and a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2015. Before joining Penn State in August 2019, Shi was a postdoctoral researcher in the material science and engineering department at Stanford University. Shi received awards including 2023 NSF CAREER Award, 2022 J&J WiSTEM2D Scholar by Johnson & Johnson, and 2019 Virginia S. and Philip L. Walker Faculty Fellow at Penn State University. The author of more than 60 articles (h-index 46) and one book chapter, she serves as the guest editor for Frontiers in Energy Research, Energy & Environmental Materials (EEM) and the editorial board of Energy Materials. Shi’s research interest lies at the intersection of surface chemistry, material science, and mechanical engineering, with an emphasis on integrated energy systems.