Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical performances of LiFePO4/graphene cathode material for high power lithium-ion batteries

LiFePO₄/graphene (LiFePO₄/G) cathode with exciting electrochemical performance was successfully synthesized by liquid phase method. LiFePO₄ nanoparticles wrapped with multi-layered grapheme can be fabricated in a short time. This method did not need external heating source. Heat generated by chemical reaction conduct the process and removed the solvent simultaneously. The LiFePO₄/G were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), magnetic properties analysis and electrochemical performance tests. The LiFePO₄/G delivered a capacity of 160 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1C and could tolerate various dis-charge currents with a capacity retention rate of 99.8%, 99.2%, 99.0%, 98.6%, 97.3% and 95.0% after stepwise under 5C, 10C, 15C, 20C, 25C and 30C, respectively.     

Electrochemical Phase Evolution of Metal-Based Pre-Catalysts for High-Rate Polysulfide Conversion

In situ evolution of electrocatalysts is of paramount importance in defining catalytic reactions. Catalysts for aprotic electrochemistry such as lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries are the cornerstone to enhance intrinsically sluggish reaction kinetics but the true active phases are often controversial. Herein, we reveal the electrochemical phase evolution of metal-based pre-catalysts (Co₄N) in working Li-S batteries that renders highly active electrocatalysts (CoS_x). Electrochemical cycling induces the transformation from single-crystalline Co₄N to polycrystalline CoS_x that are rich in active sites. This transformation propels all-phase polysulfide-involving reactions. Consequently, Co₄N enables stable operation of high-rate (10 C, 16.7 mA cm⁻²) and electrolyte-starved (4.7 μL mg_S⁻¹) Li-S batteries. The general concept of electrochemically induced sulfurization is verified by thermodynamic energetics for most of low-valence metal compounds.     

Particles in composite polymer electrolyte for solid-state lithium batteries: A review

Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) have been identified as one kind of the most promising energy conversion and storage devices because of their safety, high energy density, and long cycling life. The development of solid-state electrolyte is vital to commercialize SSLBs. Composite polymer electrolyte (CPE), derived by compositing inorganic particles into solid polymer electrolyte has become the most practical species for SSLBs because it inherits the advantages of polymer electrolyte and simultaneously achieves enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. The characteristics of inorganic particles and their interaction with polymers strongly impact the performance of CPE, improving its ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal and electrochemical stability, as well as interface compatibility with both electrodes. In this review, the effects of particle characteristics including its species, size, proportion, morphology on the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of CPE are reviewed. Meanwhile, some novel composite strategies are also introduced including surface modification, hybridization, and alignment of particles in polymer matrices, as well as some new preparation methods of CPE. The interactions between particles and other components in CPE including polymer matrices or lithium salt are particularly focused herein to reveal the lithium conductive mechanism. Finally, a perspective on the direction of future CPE development for SSLBs is presented.     

分散剂PVA对水热反应制备LiFePO4性能的影响

应用改进的水热反应法制得粒径小且分布均匀的L iFePO4颗粒,煅烧时加葡萄糖形成包覆碳.XRD、SEM和充放电测试表明,该材料粒径约200 nm,颗粒的尺寸分布比较均匀,具有3.45 V的放电平台,放电容量最高达到140 mAh/g,循环到第40周容量仅衰减2.1%.详细讨论了如何有效调控L iFePO4的粒子尺寸以及包覆碳对其电化学性能的影响.     

Electrolytic Formation of Crystalline Silicon/Germanium Alloy Nanotubes and Hollow Particles with Enhanced Lithium‐Storage Properties

Crystalline silicon(Si)/germanium(Ge) alloy nanotubes and hollow particles are synthesized for the first time through a one‐pot electrolytic process. The morphology of these alloy structures can be easily tailored from nanotubes to hollow particles by varying the overpotential during the electro‐reduction reaction. The continuous solid diffusion governed by the nanoscale Kirkendall effect results in the formation of inner void in the alloy particles. Benefitting from the compositional and structural advantages, these SiGe alloy nanotubes exhibit much enhanced lithium‐storage performance compared with the individual solid Si and Ge nanowires as the anode material for lithium‐ion batteries.     

Controllable Preparation of Nanosized LiMnPO4/C with Rod-Like Morphology by Hydrothermal Method with Excellent Electrochemical Performance

The nanosized rod-like LiMnPO₄/C cathode materials have successfully in situ synthesized on the surface of flaky structure MnPO₄ · H₂O self-sacrificing template by the hydrothermal method. The crystal microstructure, micro shape, and electrochemical parameters of LiMnPO₄/C are comprehensively studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, and electrochemical measurement methods. The physical and chemical properties analysis confirms that the vinyl acetate solution (VAc-H₂O) with a proper molar ratio is beneficial to generate orthorhombic olivine structure LiMnPO₄ with microporous structure and nanorod-shaped morphology. The electrochemical measurement results indicate that LMP-X1-AA sample delivers an initial discharge capacity of 148.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.05 C, the capacity retention rate still maintains at 89.2% after 200 cycles. As the discharge rate increases to 1 C, the discharge capacity still remains at 133.4 mAh g⁻¹. The results indicate that the synergistic effect of nanosized rod-like morphology and conductive carbon coating is beneficial to improving the lithium ions diffusivity and electrochemical properties of LiMnPO₄ materials.     

Charge/discharge characteristics of sulfur composite electrode at different temperature and current density in rechargeable lithium batteries

The charge/discharge characteristics of the sulfur composite cathodes were investigated at different temperatures and different current densities. The composite presented the discharge capacities of 854 and 632 mAh g⁻¹ at 60 and −20 °C, respectively, while it had the discharge capacities of 792 mAh g⁻¹ at 25 °C. The composite presented the discharge capacities of 792 and 604 mAh g⁻¹ at 55.6 and 667 mA g⁻¹, respectively, at room temperature. The results showed that the sulfur composite cathodes presented good charge/discharge characteristics between 60 and −20 °C and at a high c-rate up to 667 mA g⁻¹.     

Developments in electrochemical processes for recycling lead–acid batteries

The lead–acid battery recycling industry is very well established, but the conventional pyrometallurgical processes are far from environmentally benign. Hence, recent developments of lead–acid battery recycling technologies have focused on low-temperature (electro)hydrometallurgical processes, the subject of this review, covering modified electrolytes, improved reaction engineering, better reactor design and control of operating conditions.