A new charging mode of Li-ion batteries with LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composites under low temperature

Li-ion batteries with LiFePO₄/C composites are difficult to be charged at low temperatures. In order to improve the low temperature performance of LiFePO₄/C power batteries, the charge–discharge characteristics were studied at different temperatures, and a new charging mode under low temperature was proposed. In the new charging mode, the batteries were excited by current pulses with the charge rates between 0.75 C and 2 C, while the discharge rates between 3 and 4 C before the conventional charging (CC–CV). Results showed that the surface temperature of Li-ion battery ascended to 3 °C at the end of pulse cycling when the environment temperature was −10 °C. Comparing with the conventional charging, the whole charge time was cut by 36 min (23.4%) and the capacity was 7.1% more at the same discharge rate, respectively.     

Effects of alloying elements and binder on the electrochemical behavior of metal hydride electrodes in potassium hydroxide electrolyte

This investigation examines the effect of alloying elements on the charge–discharge performance of LaNi_3.6(Co+Mn+Al)_1.4 electrodes in 7 M KOH electrolyte. The activation behavior and the effect of binder content were also examined. Both half-cell and full-cell systems were employed to evaluate the electrochemical performance. Experimental results indicated that a few cycles of charge–discharge at a rate of 150 mA/g in 7 M KOH electrolyte were sufficient to activate the freshly prepared LaNi_3.6(Co+Mn+Al)_1.4 electrodes. The amount of binder affected the activation behavior, the overvoltage for hydrogen ions reduction and the discharge capacity of the MmNi_3.55Co_0.75Mn_0.4Al_0.3 electrode. In the alloy of the LaNi_3.6(Co+Mn+Al)_1.4 electrodes, a high Co content helped to promote both the capacity at a relatively low discharging rate and the cyclic life. An increase of the Al content raised the discharge voltage and improved the high rate discharge capacity, but reduced the cyclic stability. The alloy with a high Mn content required the least cathodic polarization during charging but had the lowest discharge capacity at a rather high discharging rate.     

Multilayered separator based on porous polyethylene layer,Al2O3 layer,and electro-spun PVdF nanofiber layer for lithium batteries

With an aim to enhance the thermal stability and electrolyte wetting of a polyethylene porous separator, an Al₂O₃ nano-powder layer and an electro-spun PVdF nanofiber layer were successively formed on both sides of the polyethylene separator. The Al₂O₃ layer provides excellent thermal stability as indicated by thermal shrinkage of only 7.8 % in area at 180 °C and absence of a meltdown up to 200 °C. The electrolyte uptake of the multilayer separator was increased with the thickness of the nanofiber layer. As a result, discharge capacity, rate capability, and cycle life of the lithium ion batteries employing the PVdF nanofiber layers were improved, overcompensating for a loss of performance caused by the Al₂O₃ layer. Therefore, the multilayer approach is highly effective in improving both the performance and safety of lithium ion batteries.     

Separator technologies for lithium-ion batteries

Although separators do not participate in the electrochemical reactions in a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, they perform the critical functions of physically separating the positive and negative electrodes while permitting the free flow of lithium ions through the liquid electrolyte that fill in their open porous structure. Separators for liquid electrolyte Li-ion batteries can be classified into porous polymeric membranes, nonwoven mats, and composite separators. Porous membranes are most commonly used due to their relatively low processing cost and good mechanical properties. Although not widely used in Li-ion batteries, nonwoven mats have the potential for low cost and thermally stable separators. Recent composite separators have attracted much attention, however, as they offer excellent thermal stability and wettability by the nonaqueous electrolyte. The present paper (1) presents an overview of separator characterization techniques, (2) reviews existing technologies for producing different types of separators, and (3) discusses directions for future investigation. Research into separator fabrication techniques and chemical modifications, coupled with the numerical modeling, should lead to further improvements in the performance and abuse tolerance as well as cost reduction of Li-ion batteries.     

Lithium-ion conduction in elastomeric binder in Li-ion batteries

This paper describes two kinds of elastomeric binders which are styrene–butadiene (ST–BD) copolymer and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate–acrylonitrile (2EHA–AN) copolymer for electrode materials of rechargeable Li-ion batteries. These elastomeric binders were swollen by electrolyte solution (EC/DEC=1/2, 1 M LiPF₆), and 2EHA–AN copolymer retained larger amount of electrolyte solution than ST–BD copolymer. The Li-ionic conduction behavior was investigated for both copolymer films swollen by electrolyte solution. The Li-ion conductivity of ST–BD copolymer was 9.45 × 10⁻⁸ S·cm⁻¹ and that of 2EHA–AN copolymer was 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹ at room temperature, and the corresponding amounts of activation energy were 0.31 and 0.26 eV, respectively. Because the observed activation energy in elastomeric binder was different from that in the bulk of electrolyte solution (0.09 eV), Li-ion conduction of the bulk of elastomeric binder swollen by electrolyte was affected by the polymer structure of binders. Electrochemical performance of cathode material, LiCoO₂, was investigated with three kinds of binders: ST–BD copolymer, 2EHA–AN copolymer, and poly(vinylidene fluoride). The initial charge–discharge capacity of the LiCoO₂ electrode with 2EHA–AN copolymer showed highest capacity, suggesting that Li⁺-ion conduction inside of the elastomeric binder contributes to the enhancement of charging and discharging capacity. This result indicates that elastomeric binder with sufficient Li-ionic conductivity can be an attractive candidate for improving cathode of lithium-ion battery.     

Preparation and characterization of inorganic hollow fiber membranes

Inorganic hollow fiber membranes were prepared by spinning a polymer solution containing suspended aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) powders to a hollow fiber precursor, which is then sintered at elevated temperatures. In spinning these hollow fiber precursors, polyethersulfone (PESf), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were used as a polymer binder, a solvent, and an additive, respectively. The inorganic hollow fiber membranes prepared were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), gas permeation techniques Coulter porometer, and gravimetric analysis. Some primary factors affecting the structure and performance of the membranes such as the sintering temperature and the ratio of the aluminum oxide to the PESf polymer binder were studied extensively. The prepared inorganic membranes show an asymmetric structure, which is similar to the conventional polymeric membranes prepared from the same phase-inversion technique. The inorganic hollow fiber membrane with a higher porosity and better mechanical strength could be prepared by blending the spinning solution with a smaller amount of aluminum oxide powder.     

High-performance pyrrolidinium-based poly(ionic liquid) binders for Li-ion and Li-air batteries

The role of binders is crucial to achieve high performance and long cycle lifes in next-generation electrodes for lithium batteries. Currently used binders in electrode configurations, such as poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) are inactive polymers that do not transport lithium ions themselves, causing restrictions for high-power applications. Thus, developing innovative binders with an affinity towards lithium mobility is important for both lithium-ion and lithium-air batteries. In this work, we present for the first time the use of PDADMA poly(ionic liquid)s with fluorinated anions (FSI, TFSI, BETI, and CFSO) as cathode binders in Li-ion and Li-air batteries. The high-voltage NMC 532 cathodes with fluorinated PDADMA binders showed improved cells performances as: capacity values, rate performance, and cycling stability in accelerating aging conditions dedicated for more environmental-friendly mobility applications. Especially, PDADMA-CFSO binder in cathodes shows a cell capacity increase of 26% at 5C (12 min charge), when compared to PVDF one. Moreover, the fluorinated PDADMA binders in cathode improve the discharge capacities in Li–O₂ cells, both with liquid and solid gel polymer electrolytes. Impressively, the Coulombic efficiency improves by 146% and the cycling capacity by 70% in solid-state Li–O₂ cells using PDADMA-CFSO binder in the cathode, instead of common lithiated Nafion. All in all, the proposed fluorinated PDADMA Poly(ionic liquid)s can be a highly competitive alternative to conventional binders used nowadays in Li-ion and Li-air batteries.     

Synthesis and characterization of submicron size particles of LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by microemulsion route

Among the various positive electrode materials investigated for Li-ion batteries, spinel LiMn₂O₄ is one of the most important materials. Small particles of the active materials facilitate high-rate capability due to large surface to mass ratio and small diffusion path length. The present work involves the synthesis of submicron size particles of LiMn₂O₄ in a quaternary microemulsion medium. The precursor obtained from the reaction is heated at different temperatures in the range from 400 to 900 °C. The samples heated at 800 and 900 °C are found to possess pure spinel phase with particle size <200 nm, as evidenced from XRD, SEM, and TEM studies. The electrochemical characterization studies provide discharge capacity values of about 100 mAh g⁻¹ at C/5 rate, and there is a moderate decrease in capacity by increasing the rate of charge–discharge cycling. Studies also include charge–discharge cycling and ac impedance studies in temperature range from −10 to 40 °C. Impedance data are analyzed with the help of an equivalent circuit and a nonlinear least squares fitting program. From temperature dependence of charge-transfer resistance, a value of 0.62 eV is obtained for the activation energy of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox process, which accompanies the intercalation/deintercalation of the Li⁺ ion in LiMn₂O₄.     

High-performance thin-film Li4Ti5O12 electrodes fabricated by using ink-jet printing technique and their electrochemical properties

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin-film anode with high discharge capacity and excellent cycle stability for rechargeable lithium ion batteries was prepared successfully by using ink-jet printing technique. The prepared Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. It was found that the average thickness of 10-layer Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ film was about 1.7~1.8 μm and the active material Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ in the thin film was nano-sized about 50–300 nm. It was also found that the prepared Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film exhibited a high discharge capacity of about 174 mAh/g and the discharge capacity in the 300th cycle retained 88% of the largest discharge capacity at a current density of 10.4 μA/cm² in the potential range of 1.0–2.0 V.     

Facile Preparation and Lithium Storage Properties of TiO2@Graphene Composite Electrodes with Low Carbon Content

Over the past decade, TiO₂/graphene composites as electrodes for lithium ion batteries have attracted a great deal of attention for reasons of safety and environmental friendliness. However, most of the TiO₂/graphene electrodes have large graphene content (9–40 %), which is bound to increase the cost of the battery. Logically, reducing the amount of graphene is a necessary part to achieve a green battery. The synthesis of TiO₂ nanosheets under solvothermal conditions without additives is now demonstrated. Through mechanical mixing TiO₂ nanosheets with different amount of reduced graphene (rGO), a series of TiO₂@graphene composites was prepared with low graphene content (rGO content 1, 2, 3, and 5 wt %). When these composites were evaluated as anodes for lithium ion batteries, it was found that TiO₂+3 wt % rGO manifested excellent cycling stability and a high specific capacity (243.7 mAh g^?1 at 1 C; 1 C=167.5 mA g^?1), and demonstrated superior high‐rate discharge/charge capability at 20 C.     

A novel method to fabricate lithium-ion polymer batteries based on LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/NG electrodes

A novel method to fabricate lithium-ion polymer batteries (LiPBs) has been developed. The LiPBs was fabricated without microporous polyolefin separators, taking spinel lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) and natural graphite (NG) as the electrodes. The thicknesses of the cathodes and the anodes are 190 and 110 μm, respectively. The NG anode was coated with a microporous composite polymer film (20 μm thick) which composed of polymer and ultrafine particles. The coating process was effective and simple to be used in practical application, and ensured the composite polymer film to act as a good separator in the LiPB. The LiPBs assembled with the coated NG anodes and pristine LiMn₂O₄ cathodes presented better electrochemical performances than liquid lithium-ion battery counterparts, proving that the microporous composite polymer film can improve the performance of the coated NG anode. In this paper, the spinel LiMn₂O₄/(coated)NG-based LiPBs exhibited high rate capability, compliant temperature reliability, and significantly, excellent cycling performance under the elevated temperature (55°C).     

Preparation and performance characterization of polymer Li-ion batteries using gel poly(diacrylate) electrolyte prepared by in situ thermal polymerization

A gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was prepared by in-situ thermal polymerization of 1,3-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) in a EC/EMC/DMC electrolyte solution at 100 °C. The GPE with 15 wt.% polymer content appears as apparently dry polymer with sufficient mechanical strength and shows a high ionic conductivity of 3.2×10^–3 S cm^–1 at 20 °C. The MCMB–LiCoO₂ type polymer Li-ion batteries (PLIB) prepared using this in-situ internal polymerization method exhibit a very high initial charge–discharge efficiency of 92.1%, and can deliver 94.4% of its nominal capacity at 1.0 C rate and 70.7% of its room temperature capacity at –20 °C. Also, the PLIB cells show very good cycling ability with >85% capacity retention after 300 cycles. The excellent charge–discharge properties of the PLIB cells are attributed to the integrated structure in which the polymer matrix spreads over entire region of the cell acting as a strong binder and electrolyte carrier to produce a stabilized electrode–electrolyte interface. In addition, the fabricating process of the polymer cell is quite simple and convenient for practical applications.     

Carbon-Coated SiO2 Composites as Promising Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

Porous silica-based materials are a promising alternative to graphite anodes for Li-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, low discharge potential similar to pure silicon, superior cycling stability compared to silicon, abundance, and environmental friendliness. However, several challenges prevent the practical application of silica anodes, such as low coulombic efficiency and irreversible capacity losses during cycling. The main strategy to tackle the challenges of silica as an anode material has been developed to prepare carbon-coated SiO₂ composites by carbonization in argon atmosphere. A facile and eco-friendly method of preparing carbon-coated SiO₂ composites using sucrose is reported herein. The carbon-coated SiO₂ composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, transmission and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and charge–discharge cycling. A C/SiO₂-0.085 M calendered electrode displays the best cycling stability, capacity of 714.3 mAh·g⁻¹, and coulombic efficiency as well as the lowest charge transfer resistance over 200 cycles without electrode degradation. The electrochemical performance improvement could be attributed to the positive effect of the carbon thin layer that can effectively diminish interfacial impedance.     

DFT Investigation of the Potential of B<Subscript>21</Subscript>N<Subscript>21</Subscript> and Al<Subscript>21</Subscript>P<Subscript>21</Subscript> Nanocages as Anode Electrodes in Metal Ion Batteries

In present paper, the potential of B₂₁N₂₁ and Al₂₁P₂₁ nanocages as anode electrodes of Li-ion, Na-ion and K-ion batteries by using of density functional theory was investigated. The effects of adoption of B₂₁N₂₁ and Al₂₁P₂₁ nanocages with halogen atoms on potential of metal-ion batteries were examined. Results showed that Al₂₁P₂₁ as anode electrode in metal ion batteries has higher potential than B₂₁N₂₁. Results indicated that K-ion battery has higher cell voltage than Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. Results showed that adoption of B₂₁N₂₁ and Al₂₁P₂₁ with halogen atoms increased the cell voltage of metal-ion batteries. Results showed that F-doped metal-ion batteries have higher cell voltage than Cl- and Br-doped metal-ion batteries. It can be concluded that F–Al₂₀P₂₁ as anode electrode in metal-ion battery has higher potential than F–B₂₀N₂₁.     

Manganese oxide nanoparticle-loaded porous carbon nanofibers as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Mn-based oxide-loaded porous carbon nanofiber anodes, exhibiting large reversible capacity, excellent capacity retention, and good rate capability, are fabricated by carbonizing electrospun polymer/Mn(CH₃COO)₂ composite nanofibers without adding any polymer binder or electronic conductor. The excellent electrochemical performance of these organic/inorganic nanocomposites is a result of the unique combinative effects of nano-sized Mn-based oxides and carbon matrices as well as the highly-developed porous composite nanofiber structure, which make them promising anode candidates for high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.     

Three-Dimensional Carbon Framework Anchored Polyoxometalate as a High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Recently, it has become very important to develop cost-effective anode materials for the large-scale use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Polyoxometalates (POMs) have been considered as one of the most promising alternatives for LIB electrodes owing to their reversible multi-electron-transfer capacity. Herein, Keggin-type [PMo₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ (donated as PMo₁₂) clusters are anchored onto a 3D microporous carbon framework derived from ZIF-8 through electrostatic interactions. The PMo₁₂ clusters can be immobilized steadily and uniformly on the carbon framework, which provides enhanced electrical conductivity and high stability. Compared with PMo₁₂ itself, the as-prepared novel 3D Carbon-PMo₁₂ composite displays a significantly improved Li-ion storage performance as an LIB anode, with excellent reversible specific capacity and rate capacity, as well as high cycling performance (discharge capacity of 985 mA h g⁻¹ after 200 cycles), which are superior to other POM-based anode materials reported so far. The high performance of the Carbon-PMo₁₂ composite can be attributed to the 3D conductive network with fast electron transport, high ratio of pseudocapacitive contribution, and evenly distributed PMo₁₂ clusters with reversible 24-electron transfer capacity. This work offers a facile way to explore novel LIB anodes consisting of electroactive molecule clusters.     

Rational design of double-confined Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/S@Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocube cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries

Due to the high specific capacities and environmental benignity, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have shown fascinating potential to replace the currently dominant Li-ion batteries to power portable electronics and electric vehicles. However, the shuttling effect caused by the dissolution of polysulfides seriously degrades their electrochemical performance. In this paper, Mn₂O₃ microcubes are fabricated to serve as the sulfur host, on top of which Al₂O₃ layers of 2 nm in thickness are deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form Mn₂O₃/S (MOS) @Al₂O₃ composite electrodes. The MOS@Al₂O₃ electrode delivers an excellent initial capacity of 1012.1 mAh g^?1 and a capacity retention of 78.6% after 200 cycles at 0.5 C, and its coulombic efficiency reaches nearly 99%, giving rise to much better performance than the neat MOS electrode. These findings demonstrate the double confinement effect of the composite electrode in that both the porous Mn₂O₃ structure and the atomic Al₂O₃ layer serve as the spacious host and the protection layer of sulfur active materials, respectively, for significantly improved electrochemical performance of the Li-S battery.     

Instability of PVDF Binder in the LiFePO4 versus Li4Ti5O12 Li-Ion Battery Cell

The conventional formulation of electrodes used in Li-ion batteries consists of a mixture of three components: an active material, a conductive additive (carbon), and an organic binder. While the first encompasses a broad spectrum of chemistries, the carbon and the binder are often standard elements of the composite, with the latter being, in most of the cathode cases, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The high (electro-)chemical inertia spanning over a broad range of oxidative and reductive potentials gives grounds for this choice. Herein, we demonstrate, contrary to electrochemical expectations, that the PVDF is electrochemically unstable at relatively low potentials. We consider in this study the LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathode cycled versus Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) anode as a representative low-voltage battery cell system. The binder degradation process starts upon charge on the LFP electrode at 3.45 V vs. Li⁺/Li when the PVDF binder reacts with lithium and forms LiF. The latter does not precipitate on the LFP but migrates/diffuses towards the LTO counter-electrode, following the Li-ions’ trajectory. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy complemented with the high lateral resolution of X-ray photoemission electron microscopy disclosed the formation of a thin layer of LiF homogenously distributed across the LTO electrode, which partially dissolves (or decomposes) upon discharge. The degradation of the PVDF and the deposition and dissolution (and/or decomposition) of the LiF layer continue over subsequent charge and discharge cycles. The process is augmented when the cycling temperature is increased to 80 °C. The results shown in this work are crucial to interpret electrochemical data, such as specific charge decay or impedance rise, and have relevance for all PVDF-based electrodes, especially when employed in high-voltage battery cells where the more extreme cycling conditions exacerbate electrode components’ stability.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> submicron-belts synthesized by a sol–gel H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> route

One-dimensional (1D) submicron-belts of V₂O₅ have been prepared by a sol–gel route using V₂O_5, H₂O₂ and aniline as starting materials. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the samples. Electrochemical behaviors as cathode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The results showed that the synthesized V₂O₅ appeared to be submicron-belts and orthorhombic structure. The V₂O₅ submicron-belts exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and stayed 240 mAh/g after 20 cycles at 0.1 C discharge rate in the potential region 1.8–4.0 V.     

Enhanced performance of SiO/Fe2O3 composite as an anode for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) was utilized to enhance the electrochemical properties of SiO as a promising anode for Li-ion batteries. An SiO/Fe₂O₃ composite, composed of SiO coated with Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, was synthesized by mechanical milling and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the SiO/Fe₂O₃ composite, SiO, and mechanically milled SiO as anodes for Li-ion batteries were then investigated. The SiO/Fe₂O₃ composite showed superior performance compared with the two Fe₂O₃-free SiO samples, including an increased initial coulombic efficiency, enhanced rate capability, and better capacity retention.