Performance of polymer electrolyte cells at +25 to +100°C

Solid state rechargeable polymer electrolyte batteries utilizing lithium anodes and V₆O₁₃ composite cathodes were investigated at 100°C. The polymer electrolyte was a complex formed between polyethylene oxide (PEO) and LiCF₃SO₃. Over a hundred cycles were obtained at the C/5 rate (45% depth of discharge) with greater than 75% of the initial capacity of V₆O₁₃ being maintained at cycle number one hundred. Cells made with propylene carbonate (PC) doped polymer electrolyte also showed good performance at room temperature.     

铝掺杂锰酸锂正极材料制备及第一性原理研究

采用固相法制备出高纯度纳米LiAl0.25Mn1.75O4并用此制备成了半电池,对其进行充放电循环测试和阻抗测试,并与原始LiMn2O4的测试结果相比较。另采用基于密度泛函理论的第一原理方法,研究了掺铝锰酸锂LiAl0.25Mn1.75O4的能带结构、态密度和原子布居,实验与计算分析结果表明LiAl0.25Mn1.75O4在室温下0.01C放电时首次放电容量为124.8mAh/h,室温0.2C下50个循环周期后放电比容量保持率可达到83.6%;LiAl0.25Mn1.75O4的能带带隙为0.21eV,分态密度中Al-s轨道与O-s轨道在-20eV左右的明显杂化,均表明LiAl0.25Mn1.75O4材料具有高导电率、高结构稳定性、高比容量保持率的性能,这为推动锂离子电池锰酸锂正极材料的发展提供理论依据。     

Electrochemical characterization of poly(vinylidenefluoride)-zinc triflate gel polymer electrolyte and its application in solid-state zinc batteries

Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) films comprising of poly(vinylidenefluoride), propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate and zinc trifluoromethane sulfonate are prepared and characterized. The composition of GPE is optimized to contain minimum liquid components with a maximum specific conductivity of 3.94×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at (25±1) °C. A detailed investigation on the properties such as ionic conductivity, transport number, electrochemical stability window, reversibility of Zn/Zn²⁺ couple and Zn/gel electrolyte interfacial stability have been carried out. The ionic conductivity follows a VTF behaviour with an activation energy of about 0.0014 eV. Cationic transport number varies from 0.51 at 25 °C to 0.18 at 70 °C. Several cells have been assembled with GPE as the electrolyte, zinc as the anode, γ-MnO₂ as the cathode and their charge–discharge behaviour followed. Capacity values of 105, 82, 64 and 37 mAh/g of MnO₂ have been achieved at 10, 50, 100 and 200 μA/cm² discharge current densities, respectively. The discharge capacity values are almost constant for about 55 cycles for all values of current densities. Cyclic voltammetric study of MnO₂ electrode in Zn/GPE/MnO₂ cell clearly shows intercalation/deintercalation of Zn²⁺.     

The lithiation studies of nanostructured tungsten oxide film prepared via electrochemical precipitation

In this work, nanostructured tungsten oxide was electrodeposited by cyclic voltammetric technique onto a stainless steel surface. The structure and surface morphology of the resulting oxide film were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical intercalation of lithium into the nanostructured tungsten oxide was studied using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a liquid electrolyte consisting of 1 M LiClO₄ in propylene carbonate. The as-deposited tungsten oxide indicated the capacity for electrochemical lithium insertion. The specific capacitance of 108.05 F?g^?1 was obtained at the constant discharge density of 0.07 mA?cm^?2.     

Preparation,properties, and Li-ion battery application of EC + PC-modified PVdF-HFP gel polymer electrolyte films

Based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) salt along with blending plasticizers, ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC), high Li-ion-conducting gel polymer electrolyte films are developed. Their properties are characterized by various techniques. The ambient temperature ionic conductivity of the 85PVdF-HFP:15LiBF₄ + 150(EC + PC) electrolyte film has a high value of 8.1 × 10^?4 S cm^?1. Its crystallinity, melting point, and electrochemical stability window are 9.5%, 115 °C, and 4.6 V, respectively. The mechanical testing shows that the Young’s modulus, yield strength, and breaking strain of this electrolyte film are 36.8 MPa, 3.4 MPa, and 320%, respectively. Lithium-ion batteries based on the gel polymer electrolyte film exhibit remarkable charge–discharge and cycling performances. The initial discharge capacity of this battery is as high as 165.1 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and just shows a small capacity fading of 4.8% after 120 cycles, indicating that the 85PVdF-HFP:15LiBF₄ + 150(EC + PC) system is an excellent electrolyte candidate for lithium-ion battery applications. The charge–discharge performance of the Li-ion cell fabricated with this gel polymer electrolyte film is apparently better than that of the previously reported Li-ion cells fabricated with other PVdF-HFP-based gel polymer electrolyte films.     

X‐ray Raman spectroscopy of lithium‐ion battery electrolyte solutions in a flow cell

The effects of varying LiPF₆ salt concentration and the presence of lithium bis(oxalate)borate additive on the electronic structure of commonly used lithium‐ion battery electrolyte solvents (ethylene carbonate–dimethyl carbonate and propylene carbonate) have been investigated. X‐ray Raman scattering spectroscopy (a non‐resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering method) was utilized together with a closed‐circle flow cell. Carbon and oxygen K‐edges provide characteristic information on the electronic structure of the electrolyte solutions, which are sensitive to local chemistry. Higher Li⁺ ion concentration in the solvent manifests itself as a blue‐shift of both the π* feature in the carbon edge and the carbonyl π* feature in the oxygen edge. While these oxygen K‐edge results agree with previous soft X‐ray absorption studies on LiBF₄ salt concentration in propylene carbonate, carbon K‐edge spectra reveal a shift in energy, which can be explained with differing ionic conductivities of the electrolyte solutions.     

Ethylene sulfate as film formation additive to improve the compatibility of graphite electrode for lithium-ion battery

Ethylene sulfate (DTD) is investigated as a novel film formation electrolyte additive for graphite anode material in lithium-ion battery. The CV results reveal that DTD is reduced prior to ethylene carbonate (EC) at the interface between graphite and electrolyte, while it cannot prevent the sustained reduction of propylene carbonate (PC) when the amount of DTD is lesser than 3 wt% in the PC-based electrolyte. XPS analyses demonstrate that the reduction products of DTD, Li₂SO₃, and ROSO₂Li are formed at the surface of graphite in the EC-based electrolyte, which is beneficial to lower the interfacial resistance as suggested by the EIS results. In addition, SEM images show a smoother and homogeneous surface film at the surface of graphite when DTD is incorporated into the electrolyte. Consequently, the Li/graphite half cells cycled in EC-based electrolyte containing DTD exhibit higher specific capacity and improved cycling capability than that without DTD.     

微秒脉冲下碳酸丙烯酯的击穿特性

采用紧凑Tesla变压器型脉冲功率驱动源及球电极击穿试件,通过改变初级充电电压,开展了微秒级充电条件下碳酸丙烯酯及其与碳酸乙烯酯的混合液的击穿实验研究。由结果和分析可知:碳酸丙烯酯理论工作温度可低至-55℃,这意味着它可以成为一种低温下的良好液体电介质;碳酸丙烯酯耐压性能与去离子水相当,且实测电阻率达到了10 MΩ·cm以上;向碳酸丙烯酯中添加碳酸乙烯酯后,介电常数可提高至80以上,耐压强度也有所提升;将碳酸丙烯酯、碳酸乙烯酯/碳酸丙烯酯混合液用于脉冲形成线作为储能介质无需附加去离子处理系统,有利于装置的紧凑化和小型化。     

Electrochemical permeability of GCO: Estimation of overpotentials

The basic relationships required to analyse permeability data of fluorite-based solid electrolytes are rewritten in order to account for an overpotential term related to slow surface exchange. Results of a gadolinia doped ceria solid electrolyte suggest that surface exchange might limit the permeability especially at low Po₂ and temperature. However, the analysis of the data with different relationships leads to somewhat different estimates of the electron and hole conductivity and overpotential values. Paper presented at the 5th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Benalmádena, Spain, Sept. 13–20, 1998     

Analysis of plasticizer influence in Poly(vinyl acetate)/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymer blend electrolyte

Gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) was prepared by solvent casting technique, in which the addition of plasticizers improves the conductivity of polymer membranes. The blend polymer electrolyte containing propylene carbonate (PC) exhibits the highest conductivity of 0.922?×?10^?2 S cm^?1 at room temperature because of the higher dielectric constant as compared to other plasticizers used in the present study. Material characterizations were done with the help of SEM and FT-IR techniques. The activation energy values were computed from ‘log σ?1/T’ Arrhenius plots.     

Dielectric constants of binary mixtures of propylene carbonate with dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate from molecular dynamics simulation: comparison between non-polarizable and polarizable force fields

Using non-polarizable and polarizable molecular dynamics simulations, binary mixtures of propylene carbonate?+?dimethyl carbonate and propylene carbonate?+?ethylene carbonate with various compositions were investigated. The polarizable model produces more reasonable estimation of dielectric constants than the non-polarizable model; however, combining the electronic continuum model with the non-polarizable MD improves the comparison between the two models. Fair agreement was found between the results from these simulations and available experimental data. In addition, for a better understanding of the mixing behaviour, the excess dielectric constants over the entire composition were calculated. By comparison of the two mixtures in various mole fractions, distinctive mixing behaviours of propylene carbonate?+?dimethyl carbonate (poorly symmetric mixture) and propylene carbonate?+?ethylene carbonate (highly symmetric mixture) were observed.     

AC impedance, FTIR and XRD investigations of poly acrylonitrile complexed with LiCF3SO3

Solid polymer electrolytes of high ionic conductivity are prepared using poly acrylonitrile (PAN), propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC) and LiCF₃SO₃. The polymer films are characterised by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and a.c. impedance spectroscopic techniques. The conductivity studies of PAN-LiCF₃SO₃-PC-EC polymer electrolyte systems are carried out in the temperature range 301–373 K. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the polymer films obeys the VTF relation. The conductivity values are presented and the results are discussed.     

Silicon micropillar electrodes of lithiumion batteries used for characterizing electrolyte additives

The <100> crystal-oriented silicon micropillar array platforms were prepared by microfabrication processes for the purpose of electrolyte additive identification. The silicon micropillar array platform was used for the study of fluorinated vinyl carbonate (FEC), vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC), ethylene sulfite (ES), and vinyl carbonate (VC) electrolyte additives in the LiPF₆ dissolved in a mixture of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate electrolyte system using charge/discharge cycles, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the silicon pillar morphology displays cross-shaped expansion after lithiation/delithiation, the inorganic lithium salt keeps the silicon pillar morphology intact, and the organic lithium salt content promotes a rougher silicon pillar surface. The presence of poly-(VC) components on the surface of FEC and VC electrodes allows the silicon pillar to accommodate greater volume expansion while remaining intact. This work provides a standard, fast, and effective test method for the performance analysis of electrolyte additives and provides guidance for the development of new electrolyte additives.     

Design of ionic liquid-based hybrid electrolytes with additive for lithium insertion in graphite effectively and their effects on interfacial properties

To address the challenge of the IL-based electrolyte cannot be effectively intercalated in graphite anode, and especially the urgent needs for the compatibility between high performance and high security, the IL-based hybrid electrolyte systems with ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (EC/PC) as a co-solvent and vinylene carbonate (VC) as an additive were designed. The high dielectric constant of EC/PC significantly increased the ionic conductivity and lithium ion migration of the electrolyte system. Meanwhile, the presence of VC can form SEI preventing EC and PYR₁₄⁺ reductive decomposition on the electrode interface, and at the same moment, the SEI promotes effective Li cation insertion into the graphene interlayer. The Li/C half-cells showed high reversible capacity, cycling efficiency, and good cycle stability with the IL-based hybrid electrolyte. It is worth to highlight the better performance, in terms of the excellent thermal stability and high safety. Thus, the IL-based hybrid electrolyte combined with good electrochemical performance holds substantial promise for lithium-ion battery, and should have broad application prospects in the high energy density, especially high-security requirements, of the new lithium-ion battery.     

Role of composite MnO2 cathode on electrochemical cells based on polymer electrolyte (PEO/NaClO3)

Thin-film sodium-ion-conducting polymer electrolyte based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) system was prepared by solvent casting method. The thin-film electrolytes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and alternating current conductivity, and Wagner’s polarization method. The complexation of salt with PEO was confirmed by XRD and IR studies. The charge transport of these electrolytes is mainly due to ions, which was confirmed by the transference number experiment. The conductivity studies show that the conductivity value of PEO/NaClO₃ complex increases with the increase of temperature as well as the addition of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol, dimethyl formamide, and propylene carbonate. The electrolyte stability and cell reversibility were analyzed by CV studies. Electrochemical cells have been fabricated with a common cell configuration Na|electrolyte|(MnO₂ + I₂ + C + electrolyte), and their discharge characteristic studies were made through a load 100 kΩ at room temperature. The measured open circuit voltage ranges from 2.80 to 2.54 V with short circuit current ranges from 667 to 1,000 μA and several other cell parameters were evaluated. Finally, the merit of the composite cathode is found with the comparison of the MnO₂ cathode.     

大气压电解液阴极辉光放电发射光谱检测水体中的金属残留

水环境中的金属残留严重威胁人类的健康安全,急需快速、高效的金属残留检测技术。文章报道了自行建立的大气压电解液阴极辉光放电发射光谱装置。利用待测液体作为放电阴极进行大气压辉光放电实现了水体中金属离子的痕量检测。对配制的标准样品进行了定量测量,基于背景发射光谱的3σ计算,获得了大气压电解液阴极辉光放电光谱装置对Na, Li, Cu, Pb和Mn等5种金属元素的检测限,分别为0.008, 0.005, 1.1, 2.06和1.95 mg·L-1。该装置在金属残留的实时在线检测领域具有应用前景。     

High ionic conductive behavior of cyanoethylated polyvinylalcohol- and polyacrylonitrile-based electrolytes

New type polymer electrolyte films based on poly(acrylonitrile), (PAN), and cyanoethylated poly(vinyl alcohol), (CN-PVA), were prepared and their conducting behaviors were investigated. CN-PVA was prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol), (PVA) and acrylonitrile in the presence of sodium hydroxide and quaternary ammonium halide as a phase transfer catalyst. Free standing PAN- and CN-PVA-based electrolyte films were prepared by casting the propylene carbonate (PC) solution containing PAN, CN-PVA and LiClO₄ and removing some amount of PC. Ionic conductivity of the electrolyte film, (PAN)10(CN-PVA) 10(LiClO₄)8(PC)4 composite film was 14.6 mS cm^− 1 at 30 °C and 22.4 mS cm^− 1 at 60 °C. FTIR results for the electrolyte films suggest that the nitrile groups in the CN-PVA matrix mainly interact with the lithium ions in the films and enhance dissolution of the lithium salt in the electrolyte films.     

Surface-modification of anode carbon for lithium-ion battery using chemical vapor infiltration technique

To reduce the high irreversible capacity of the low crystalline carbon fiber for the anode material of lithium-ion battery, pyrolytic carbon (pyrocarbon) was coated at 950 °C from C₃H₈(30%)-H₂ gas system using pressure-pulsed chemical vapor infiltration. Carbon fiber was coated with the dense pyrocarbon film having the laminar texture and the low surface area of 1.9 m² g⁻¹. It was revealed from XRD and Raman spectroscopy that the crystallinity of pyrocarbon is higher than that of the core carbon. Electrochemical properties were measured in ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) base electrolytes. Irreversible capacity was reduced in EC-based electrolyte by coating with 8 mass% pyrocarbon, which would be attributed to the high crystallinity, laminar structure and low surface area of pyrocarbon. Irreversible capacity was also decreased in PC-based electrolyte. The crystallinity of pyrocarbon was not so high as PC-based electrolyte was decomposed in the case of the high crystalline graphite.     

Evaluation of discharge behavior of lithium ion cells

This paper presents a mathematical model based on a porous-electrode theory to describe the discharge of a lithium ion cell. The expression for the electrostatic cell potential has been obtained by subtracting the overpotential at the front of the anode from the overpotential at the back of the cathode plus the integral of the solution phase electrostatic potential in the cathode and the separator. The resulting expression is used to plot the cell potential against time and is compared with experimental results using parameter values from the literature. Paper presented at the International Conference on Functional Materials and Devices 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 6 – 8, 2005.     

Investigation of the synergetic effects of LiBF<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiODFB as wide-temperature electrolyte salts in lithium-ion batteries

Herein, we present the use of lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) as an electrolyte salt for wide-temperature electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. The research focused on the application of blend salts to exhibit their synergistic effect especially in a wide temperature range. In the study, LiCoO₂ was employed as the cathode material; LiBF₄ and lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiODFB) were added to an electrolyte consisting of ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC). The electrochemical performance of the resulting electrolyte was evaluated through various analytical techniques. Analysis of the electrical conductivity showed the relationship among solution conductivity, the electrolyte composition, and temperature. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge cycling, and AC impedance measurements were used to investigate the capacity and cycling stability of the LiCoO₂ cathode in different electrolyte systems and at different temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were applied to analyze the surface properties of the LiCoO₂ cathode after cycling. The results indicated that the addition of a small amount of LiODFB into the LiBF₄-based electrolyte system (LiBF₄/LiODFB of 8:2) may enhance the electrochemical performance of the LiCoO₂ cell over a relatively wide temperature range and improve the cyclability of the LiCoO₂ cell at 60 °C.