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).     

一种新型锂离子电池用聚合物电解质复合膜的制备和性能表征

阐述了一种新型锂离子电池用PVDF-HFP(聚偏氟乙烯-六氟丙烯聚合物树脂)基聚合物电解质复合膜的制备过程. 对复合膜中使用的无机TiO2纳米颗粒进行固体超强酸化处理, 并进行颗粒表面酸强度H0测试、XRD晶体结构分析以及复合膜的电解液吸附率测试和电化学阻抗谱测试. 采用PE无纺布支撑体作为增强材料, 以浸涂方法制备复合膜,并进一步组装为锂离子电池, 性能测试表明该电池具有良好的电化学性能.     

Monitoring electrode/electrolyte interfaces of Li-ion batteries under working conditions: A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic study on LiCoO2 composite cathodes

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for electrical energy storage in portable devices and are promising systems for large-scale energy storage. However, their application is still limited due to electrode degradation and stability issues. To enhance the fundamental understanding of electrode degradation, we report on the Raman spectroscopic characterization of LiCoO₂ cathode materials of working Li-ion batteries. To facilitate the spectroscopic analysis of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), we apply in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy under battery working conditions by using Au nanoparticles coated with a thin SiO₂ layer (Au@SiO₂). We observe a surface-enhanced Raman signal of Li₂CO₃ at 1090 cm⁻¹ during electrochemical cycling as an intermediate. Its formation/decomposition highlights the role of Li₂CO₃ as a component of the SEI on LiCoO₂ composite cathodes. Our results demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy to monitor electrode/electrolyte interfaces of lithium-ion batteries under working conditions thus allowing relations between electrochemical performance and structural changes to be established.     

Fabrication and characterization of SiO2/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven separators for lithium‐ion batteries

SiO₂/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite nanofiber‐coated polypropylene (PP) nonwoven membranes were prepared by electrospinning of SiO₂/PVDF dispersions onto both sides of PP nonwovens. The goal of this study was to combine the good mechanical strength of PP nonwoven with the excellent electrochemical properties of SiO₂/PVDF composite nanofibers to obtain a new high‐performance separator. It was found that the addition of SiO₂ nanoparticles played an important role in improving the overall performance of these nanofiber‐coated nonwoven membranes. Among the membranes with various SiO₂ contents, 15% SiO₂/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes provided the highest ionic conductivity of 2.6 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 after being immersed in a liquid electrolyte, 1 mol L^?1 lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. Compared with pure PVDF nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes, SiO₂/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes had greater liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical oxidation limit, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. SiO₂/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membrane separators were assembled into lithium/lithium iron phosphate cells and demonstrated high cell capacities and good cycling performance at room temperature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1719–1726     

Preparation of Carbon Nanowall and Carbon Nanotube for Anode Material of Lithium-Ion Battery

Carbon nanowall (CNW) and carbon nanotube (CNT) were prepared as anode materials of lithium-ion batteries. To fabricate a lithium-ion battery, copper (Cu) foil was cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner in a solvent such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and used as a substrate. CNW and CNT were synthesized on Cu foil using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and water dispersion, respectively. CNW and CNT were used as anode materials for the lithium-ion battery, while lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) was used as an electrolyte to fabricate another lithium-ion battery. For the structural analysis of CNW and CNT, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Raman spectroscopy analysis were performed. The Raman analysis showed that the carbon nanotube in composite material can compensate for the defects of the carbon nanowall. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was employed for the electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries, fabricated by CNW and CNT, respectively. The specific capacity of CNW and CNT were calculated as 62.4 mAh/g and 49.54 mAh/g. The composite material with CNW and CNT having a specific capacity measured at 64.94 mAh/g, delivered the optimal performance.     

静电纺聚偏氟乙烯@硅藻土锂离子电池隔膜的制备及性能

以聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)和硅藻土为原料,通过静电纺丝法制备PVDF@硅藻土复合纤维膜,用于锂离子电池隔膜。 研究了隔膜的吸液率、热稳定性和电化学性能等。 添加硅藻土可有效提高复合膜的电解液吸收率和电化学性能,其中吸液率可达623.6%,相比于PVDF膜和聚丙烯(PP)膜具有优异的循环性能和倍率性能。     

Fabrication and characterization of P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15 composite membranes for Li-ion batteries

This study reports on the preparation of a composite polymer electrolyte for secondary lithium-ion battery. Poly(vinylidiene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) was used as the polymer host, and mesoporous SBA-15 (silica) ceramic fillers used as the solid plasticizer were added into the polymer matrix. The SBA-15 fillers with mesoporous structure and high specific surface can trap more liquid electrolytes to enhance the ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15 composite polymer electrolytes was in the order of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The characteristic properties of the composite polymer membranes were examined by using FTIR spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and an AC impedance method. For comparison, the LiFePO₄/Li composite batteries with a conventional microporous polyethylene (PE) separator and pure P(VDF-HFP) polymer membrane were also prepared and studied. As a result, the LiFePO₄/Li composite battery comprised the P(VDF-HFP)/10 wt.% m-SBA-15 composite polymer electrolyte, which achieves an optimal discharge capacity of 88 mAh g⁻¹ at 20 C rate with a high coulomb efficiency of 95%. It is demonstrated that the P(VDF-HFP)/m-SBA-15 composite membrane exhibits as a good candidate for application to LiFePO₄ polymer batteries.     

白藜芦醇对长期贮存锂离子电池电解液性能的影响

锂离子电池电解液从制造完成到使用,一般都会经历灌装、运输和贮存的过程,了解长期贮存过程对锂离子电池电解液性能的影响,对锂离子电池的生产具有一定的理论指导意义.本文运用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)测试并结合循环伏安法(CV)测试、充放电测试、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等研究了1 mol.L-1 LiPF6-EC:EMC 基础电解...     

Effect of silica nanoparticles/poly（vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene） coated layers on the performance of polypropylene separator for lithium-ion batteries

In an effort to reduce thermal shrinkage and improve electrochemical performance of porous polypropylene （PP） separators for lithium-ion batteries, a new composite separator is developed by introducing ceramic coated layers on both sides of PP separator through a dip-coating process. The coated layers are comprised of heat-resistant and hydrophilic silica nanoparticles and polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene （PVDF-HFP） binders. Highly porous honeycomb structure is formed and the thickness of the layer is only about 700 nm. In comparison to the pristine PP separator, the composite separator shows significant reduction in thermal shrinkage and improvement in liquid electrolyte uptake and ionic conduction, which play an important role in improving cell performance such as discharge capacity, C-rate capability, cycle performance and coulombic efficiency.     

Lithium AlPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite polymer battery with nanostructured LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode

The borate ester plasticized AlPO₄ composite solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) have been synthesized and studied as candidates for lithium polymer battery (LPB) application. The electrochemical and thermal properties of SPE were shown to be suitable for practical LPB. Nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ with spherical particles was synthesized via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique and has shown a superior performance to the one prepared via conventional methods as cathode for LPB. Furthermore, the AlPO₄ addition to the polymer electrolyte has improved the polymer battery performance. Based on the AC impedance spectroscopy data, the performance improvement was suggested as being due to the cathode/polymer electrolyte interface stabilization in the presence of AlPO₄. The Li/composite polymer electrolyte/nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ electrochemical cell showed stable cyclability during the various current density tests, and its performance was found to be quite acceptable for practical utilities at ambient temperature and showed remarkable improvements at 60 °C compared with the solid state reaction counterpart.     

A novel all-solid-state thin-film-type lithium-ion battery with in situ prepared positive and negative electrode materials

A novel all-solid-state thin-film-type rechargeable lithium-ion battery employing in situ prepared both positive and negative electrode materials is proposed. A lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte sheet of Li₂O–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–P₂O₅-based glass–ceramic manufactured by OHARA Inc. (OHARA sheet) was used as the solid electrolyte, which was sandwiched by Cu and Mn metal films. The Cu/OHARA sheet/Mn layer became an all-solid-state lithium-ion battery after applying d.c. 16 V to the layer, and the resultant battery operated at 0.3–0.8 V with reversible capacity of 0.45 μAh cm^?2. High voltage battery was successfully prepared by applying the d.c. high voltage to a five-series of Cu/OHARA sheet/Mn layer, resulting in all-solid-state battery operating at 1.5–4.0 V. The proposed fabrication process will become a new technology to develop advanced all-solid-state rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.     

A Designed Durable Electrolyte for High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries and Mechanism Analysis

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dominate the energy market, from electronic devices to electric vehicles, but pursuing greater energy density remains challenging owing to the limited electrode capacity. Although increasing the cut-off voltage of LIBs (>4.4 V vs. Li/Li⁺) can enhance the energy density, the aggravated electrolyte decomposition always leads to a severe capacity fading and/or expiry of the battery. Herein, a new durable electrolyte is reported for high-voltage LIBs. The designed electrolyte is composed of mixed linear alkyl carbonate solvent with certain cyclic carbonate additives, in which use of the ethylene carbonate (EC) co-solvent was successfully avoided to suppress the electrolyte decomposition. As a result, an extremely high cycling stability, rate capability, and high-temperature storage performance were demonstrated in the case of a graphite|LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM622) battery at 4.45 V when this electrolyte was used. The good compatibility of the electrolyte with the graphite anode and the mitigated structural degradation of the NCM622 cathode are responsible for the high performance at high potentials above 4.4 V. This work presents a promising application of high-voltage electrolytes for pursuing high energy LIBs and provides a straightforward guide to study the electrodes/electrolyte interface for higher stability.     

New (PP/EPR)/nano‐CaCO3 based formulations in the perspective of polymer recycling. Effect of nanoparticles properties and compatibilizers

Phase structure of composite polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–rubber (EPR)/coated nano‐CaCO₃ composites, used in the manufacture of bumpers, with and without compatibilizers has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) mechanical tests, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Blends of various compositions were prepared using a corotating twin‐screw extruder. The experimental results indicated that the dispersion of nanoparticles in (PP/EPR) depends on their surface (stearic acid and fatty acid coatings). In both cases, the final morphology is the core–shell structure in which EPR acts as the shell part encapsulating coated nano‐CaCO₃. In this case, EPR‐g‐MAH copolymer does not improve the interface between (PP/EPR) and nanoparticles but PEP propylene ethylene copolymer should be preferentially localized at the interface of PP and (EPR/nano‐CaCO₃) phases generating an improved adherence, which will ensure a better cohesion of the whole material. According to the nature of the compatibilizers and surface treatment, it is believed that the synergistic effect of both the EPR elastomer and CaCO₃ nanoparticles should account for the balanced performance of the ternary composites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrophobin coated boehmite nanoparticles stabilizing oil in water emulsions

Hydrophobin coated boehmite nanoparticles have been used to establish tooth-paste like, homogenous emulsions. The surface-modified nanoparticles were simply obtained by mixing aqueous solutions of cationic boehmite particles with the anionic hydrophobin H Star Protein B® (HPB). Surface tension measurements clearly show that 1 wt.% boehmite binds up to 1 wt.% HPB. The strong interaction and aggregation of hydrophobin coated boehmite nanoparticles was proven by Cryo-TEM measurements, too. Interestingly, the combined use of 0.5 wt.% HPB and 0.5 wt.% boehmite as emulsifying agents resulted in very stable, homogenous, high internal phase emulsions (65 wt.% oil) that are stable over months. The established emulsions have also been characterized by rheological measurements. Storage moduli of more than 1000 Pa are characteristic for their high gel-like properties. Furthermore, light microscopy showed an average droplet size close to 1 μm with low polydispersity. Cryo-SEM confirmed that the hydrophobin coated nanoparticles are located at the interface of the oil droplets and therefore stabilize the emulsion systems.     

Effect of Fumed SiO_2 on Pore Formation Mechanism and Various Performances of β-iPP Microporous Membrane Used for Lithium-ion Battery Separator

In this work, four samples containing different contents of fumed SiO_2 were prepared to improve the pore size distribution and various properties of b nucleated isotatic polypropylene(b-i PP) biaxial membrane used for lithium-ion battery separator. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) results show that the fumed SiO_2 promotes the formation of b-crystal slightly and narrows down the thickness distribution of b-lamellae; meanwhile, evenly distributed SiO_2 within b-i PP can be inspected by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Moreover, further detailed characterization of morphological evolutions during biaxial stretching by tensile testing and SEM manifests that SiO_2 can strengthen b-i PP and make the samples deform more homogeneously, resulting in a gradually elaborate and finer oriented microfibril structure after longitudinal stretching, in which more uniform defects distribute between fibrils and restrain the formation of coarse fibrils effectively. Therefore, more superior microporous structure emerges with the addition of SiO_2, accompanied by narrower pore size distribution and better connectivity between microvoids, which is confirmed by mercury porosimeter and diminished Gurley value. Moreover, the lower thermal shrinkage, decreased shrinkage rate and suppressed porosity reduction indicate that fumed SiO_2 improves thermal and dimensional stability of membrane dramatically. Furthermore, due to the excellent wettability of SiO_2 with electrolyte, the microporous membranes doped with SiO_2 have higher electrolyte uptake, even after heat treatment at elevated temperature.     

修饰晶种法合成MFI型分子筛膜包覆的活性炭颗粒

由于分子筛膜的分离和催化作用, 分子筛膜包覆的传统催化剂颗粒可以实现高效的催化过程. 活性炭颗粒作为一种常用的催化剂载体, 由于其表面的憎水性和不平整, 在不规则活性炭颗粒表面直接水热合成包覆一层分子筛膜非常困难. 为了克服上述缺点, 本文采用一种勃姆石凝胶修饰的晶种法在活性炭颗粒表面合成连续的分子筛膜. 以勃姆石溶胶为前驱体, 在活性炭颗粒表面通过喷涂预先形成一层相对平整的勃姆石凝胶层以改善活性炭表面. 在随后的晶种涂覆过程中, 晶种分散液加入部分勃姆石溶胶为胶粘剂, 所得的晶种层覆盖载体完全, 与载体结合牢固, 无需焙烧处理. 将晶种涂覆后颗粒在旋转动态水热175℃处理6 h, 得到分子筛膜包覆的活性炭颗粒, 所得材料分别用X射线衍射和扫描电镜进行表征. 包覆的分子筛膜为MFI 结构, 厚度约为5μm. 对比实验表明, 没有勃姆石溶胶修饰的活性炭颗粒上不能成膜. 这种勃姆石凝胶修饰晶种法为在各种惰性载体上合成分子筛膜提供了便捷的方法.     

Studies on Co-oxidation resistances of electrolytes based on sulfolane and lithium bis(oxalato)borate

How to exert the high-voltage performance of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ and break through the bottleneck effect of corresponding electrolyte have become key points in advanced lithium-ion battery. Lithium bis(oxalato) borate (LiBOB) and sulfolane (SL) are chosen as additives to investigate their effects on the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion battery with LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode. The quantum chemistry calculation theory shows that oxidation potential of SL–BOB^– is dramatically increased, consistent with the experimental result in CV measurement. Meanwhile, results of CV and charge–discharge cycling indicate that LiBOB and SL would be involved in the initial oxidation reaction to form an effective solid electrolyte interface film on surfaces of the cathode electrode thus enhance the cycling performance of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄/Li cells. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data proves that SL is beneficial to resistance decrease. All these data will become important corroborations that the combined electrolyte LiBOB and SL have good oxidation resistances.     

Solid-state metal hydride batteries using ZrO2·nH2O as an electrolyte

ZrO₂·1.5H₂O or ZrO₂·1.5H₂O-KOH composite was used as an electrolyte in order to develop a solid-state nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery using the ZrO₂·1.5H₂O-KOH composite had rechargeability, but had a very low discharge efficiency, even at low current density. However, the performance of the battery was prominently improved by enlarging the electrode-electrolyte interface area. The resultant battery exhibited the remarkably longer cycle life, the higher discharge efficiency, and the lower polarization: it was able to operate over 150 cycles at 10 mA/g alloy.     

Ion transport through track etched polypropylene membrane

The transport properties through track etched polypropylene (PP) of 25 μm have been examined. The asymmetric pores in PP have been prepared by track etching technique. The PP membrane was exposed by α-source (₉₅Am²⁴¹). Irradiated PP membrane placed into an electrolyte cell and etched from one side while stopping medium protected other side. The etching is controlled by monitoring the electric current and to be stopped shortly after the breakthrough, which, is observed as a sudden increase in current, indicating that the two chambers of cell are connected through the pores. Asymmetric etching condition allows the preparation of charged pores of conical shape. The resulting conical pores rectify ion current. The voltage current characteristics is strongly non-linear, comparable to that of an electrical diode.     

An enhanced poly(vinylidene fluoride) matrix separator with TEOS for good performance lithium-ion batteries

The low crystallinity poly(vinylidene fluoride)/tetraethyl orthosilicate silane (PVDF/TEOS) composite separator with a finger-like pore structure for lithium-ion battery has been successfully prepared by non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) technique. The PVDF/TEOS composite separator shows the excellent wettability and electrolyte retention properties compared with Celgard 2320 separator. AC impedance spectroscopy results indicate that the novel PVDF/TEOS composite separator has ion conductivity of 1.22 mS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C, higher than that of Celgard 2320 separator (0.88 mS cm⁻¹). The lithium-ion transference number of PVDF composite separator added 0.7% TEOS was 0.481, better than that of Celgard 2400 (0.332). What is more, the lithium-ion batteries assembled with PVDF/TEOS composite separator show good cycling performance and rate capability.