The main objective of the proposal is to develop and characterize novel nanostructured coatings, respectively: whiskers resistant Sn binary and ternary alloys (Sn-Cu, Sn-Ni, Sn-Co, Sn-In, Sn-Ag, Sn-Ag-Cu, Sn-Ag-In, Sn-Cu-Ni) with applications in (i) electronic industries especially for advanced packaging technology and (ii) as nanostructured anodes for Li ion batteries. All these objectives will be followed involving choline chloride based ionic liquids, with an enhanced growth rate, having applications in electronic industries, but in metal finishing and other electrochemical materials development related fields, as well. Compared to other ionic liquids (e.g. imidazolium salts, etc.), these ionic liquids analogues are much cheaper, usually less toxic and often biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

           In addition, the developed nanostructured Sn binary alloys (as continuous films electrodeposited onto a substrate or as one-dimensional materials, such as nanorods/nanowires), mainly of Sn-Cu, Sn-Ni, Sn-Co will be further optimized to be also used as anode materials for Li-ion battery. The influence of graphene addition during electrodeposition in order to stop whiskers growth, to reinforce Sn alloys lead-free solders, as well as to improve the nanostructured Sn based alloy anode performance will be also investigated.

           To reach this ambitious objective, the NOVTINALBEST project will pursue a multiple approach scenario: (i) synthesis and characterization of new systems of ionic liquids eutectic mixtures based on choline chloride and other cholinium alkanoates; (ii) development and optimisation of the overall knowledge of electroplating techniques in ionic liquid solvents meaning that the work will focus on development of new coatings (e.g. binary and ternary Sn alloys, related composites with graphene); (iii) applying advanced equipment and techniques in ionic media and obtained coatings analysis and characterization, while proposing and designing a scale-up equipment for such depositions; (iv) optimisation of the technological deposition parameters to obtain the above mentioned alloys coatings as suitable anodes for Li-ion battery.