Designing polymer coatings for lithium metal protection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyao Zhou ◽  
Ping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Crosslinking Density ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Polymer Coatings ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Liquid Electrolytes ◽  
Protection Method

Abstract Protection of lithium metal has been one of the great challenges to realize a long-life, high-energy-density battery. Polymer coatings on lithium metal surface have been proven to be an effective protection method in terms of improved morphology, higher coulombic efficiency, and a longer cycle life. However, there is a variety of design principles of polymer coatings proposed by the research community, and the influence of polymer swelling in liquid electrolytes remains poorly understood. Herein we use crosslinking density and solvent–polymer interaction to quantitatively explain the mechanical property and the ion-transport property of polymer coatings when swollen in liquid electrolytes. Low crosslinking density is beneficial for reducing the rigidity and enhancing the viscosity of the polymer. Ion conductivity increases with the swelling ratio, and activation energy of lithium-ion transport increases in a polar polymer with strong ion–polymer coupling. We propose that polymer coatings must be combined with the emerging electrolytes with unconventional solvent compositions to realize a practical high-performance lithium metal battery. This study can provide design guidelines for polymer coatings through the optimized interactions with upcoming high-performance electrolytes.

scholarly journals Bio-inspired low-tortuosity carbon host for high-performance lithium-metal anode

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chen Yin ◽  
Zhi-Long Yu ◽  
Zhi-Yuan Ma ◽  
Tian-Wen Zhang ◽  
Yu-Yang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volume Change ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Rate Capability ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Metal Anode ◽  
Lithium Metal Anode ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Micro Channels

Abstract Lithium metal is one of the most promising anode materials for high-energy-density Li batteries. However, low stability caused by dendrite growth and volume change during cycling hinders its practical application. Herein, we report an ingenious design of bio-inspired low-tortuosity carbon with tunable vertical micro-channels to be used as a host to incorporate nanosized Sn/Ni alloy nucleation sites, which can guide Li metal's plating/stripping and meanwhile accommodate the volume change. The pore sizes of the vertical channels of the carbon host can be regulated to investigate the structure–performance correlation. After compositing Li, the bio-inspired carbon host with the smallest pore size (∼14 μm) of vertical channels exhibits the lowest overpotential (∼18 mV at 1 mA cm−2), most stable tripping/plating voltage profiles, and best cycling stability (up to 500 cycles) in symmetrical cells. Notably, the carbon/Li composite anode is more rewarding than Li foil when coupled with LiFePO4 in full cells, exhibiting a much lower polarization effect, better rate capability and higher capacity retention (90.6% after 120 cycles). This novel bio-inspired design of a low-tortuosity carbon host with nanoalloy coatings may open a new avenue for fabricating advanced Li-metal batteries with high performance.

scholarly journals Composite lithium electrode with mesoscale skeleton via simple mechanical deformation

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. eaau5655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Liang ◽  
Kai Yan ◽  
Guangmin Zhou ◽  
Allen Pei ◽  
Jie Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Composite Electrode ◽  
Metal Electrode ◽  
Mechanical Deformation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Energy Storage Devices ◽  
Ion Conducting

Lithium metal–based batteries are attractive energy storage devices because of high energy density. However, uncontrolled dendrite growth and virtually infinite volume change, which cause performance fading and safety concerns, have limited their applications. Here, we demonstrate that a composite lithium metal electrode with an ion-conducting mesoscale skeleton can improve electrochemical performance by locally reducing the current density. In addition, the potential for short-circuiting is largely alleviated due to side deposition of mossy lithium on the three-dimensional electroactive surface of the composite electrode. Moreover, the electrode volume only slightly changes with the support of a rigid and stable scaffold. Therefore, this mesoscale composite electrode can cycle stably for 200 cycles with low polarization under a high areal current density up to 5 mA/cm2. Most attractively, the proposed fabrication process, which only involves simple mechanical deformation, is scalable and cost effective, providing a new strategy for developing high performance and long lifespan lithium anodes.

Metal Anodes with Nonaqueous Electrolytes for Safe High-performance Lithium Metal Batteries

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Yabing Qi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Energy Storage Devices ◽  
Storage Devices ◽  
Lithium Metal Batteries ◽  
Lithium Dendrite ◽  
Increasing Demand

Lithium metal batteries are the promising candidates for meeting the increasing demand of next-generation energy storage devices with high energy density, however, the problems of lithium dendrite and unstable solid...

Enhanced Ion Transport in an Ether Aided Super Concentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Long-Life Practical Lithium Metal Battery Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urbi Pal ◽  
Fangfang Chen ◽  
Derick Gyabang ◽  
Thushan Pathirana ◽  
Binayak Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquid ◽  
Ion Transport ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Liquid Electrolyte ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Ionic Liquid Electrolyte ◽  
Lithium Metal Battery

We explore a novel ether aided superconcentrated ionic liquid electrolyte; a combination of ionic liquid, <i>N</i>-propyl-<i>N</i>-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (C<sub>3</sub>mpyrFSI) and ether solvent, <i>1,2</i> dimethoxy ethane (DME) with 3.2 mol/kg LiFSI salt, which offers an alternative ion-transport mechanism and improves the overall fluidity of the electrolyte. The molecular dynamics (MD) study reveals that the coordination environment of lithium in the ether aided ionic liquid system offers a coexistence of both the ether DME and FSI anion simultaneously and the absence of ‘free’, uncoordinated DME solvent. These structures lead to very fast kinetics and improved current density for lithium deposition-dissolution processes. Hence the electrolyte is used in a lithium metal battery against a high mass loading (~12 mg/cm<sup>2</sup>) LFP cathode which was cycled at a relatively high current rate of 1mA/cm<sup>2</sup> for 350 cycles without capacity fading and offered an overall coulombic efficiency of >99.8 %. Additionally, the rate performance demonstrated that this electrolyte is capable of passing current density as high as 7mA/cm<sup>2</sup> without any electrolytic decomposition and offers a superior capacity retention. We have also demonstrated an ‘anode free’ LFP-Cu cell which was cycled over 50 cycles and achieved an average coulombic efficiency of 98.74%. The coordination chemistry and (electro)chemical understanding as well as the excellent cycling stability collectively leads toward a breakthrough in realizing the practical applicability of this ether aided ionic liquid electrolytes in lithium metal battery applications, while delivering high energy density in a prototype cell.

Efficient Co-Harvesting of Solar Energy and Low-Grade Heat by Molecular Photoswitches for High Energy Density, Long-Term Stable Solar Thermal Battery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thermal Battery ◽  
Low Grade Heat

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.

Efficient Co-Harvesting of Solar Energy and Low-Grade Heat by Molecular Photoswitches for High Energy Density, Long-Term Stable Solar Thermal Battery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thermal Battery ◽  
Low Grade Heat

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.

scholarly journals Defect-induced B4C electrodes for high energy density supercapacitor devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Özge Balcı ◽  
Merve Buldu ◽  
Ameen Uddin Ammar ◽  
Kamil Kiraz ◽  
Mehmet Somer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Carbon ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Synthesis Conditions ◽  
High Energy Ball Mill ◽  
Energy Ball ◽  
G Ratio ◽  
Energy And Power Density

AbstractBoron carbide powders were synthesized by mechanically activated annealing process using anhydrous boron oxide (B2O3) and varying carbon (C) sources such as graphite and activated carbon: The precursors were mechanically activated for different times in a high energy ball mill and reacted in an induction furnace. According to the Raman analyses of the carbon sources, the I(D)/I(G) ratio increased from ~ 0.25 to ~ 0.99, as the carbon material changed from graphite to active carbon, indicating the highly defected and disordered structure of active carbon. Complementary advanced EPR analysis of defect centers in B4C revealed that the intrinsic defects play a major role in the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor device once they have an electrode component made of bare B4C. Depending on the starting material and synthesis conditions the conductivity, energy, and power density, as well as capacity, can be controlled hence high-performance supercapacitor devices can be produced.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Polymer-Grafted Low-K and High-K Nanoparticles for Dielectric and Electronic Applications

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2942
Author(s):  
Bhausaheb V. Tawade ◽  
Ikeoluwa E. Apata ◽  
Nihar Pradhan ◽  
Alamgir Karim ◽  
Dharmaraj Raghavan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Polymer Nanocomposites ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Breakdown Strength ◽  
Polymer Nanocomposite ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Grafted Nanoparticles ◽  
Grafting From

The synthesis of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNPs) or hairy nanoparticles (HNPs) by tethering of polymer chains to the surface of nanoparticles is an important technique to obtain nanostructured hybrid materials that have been widely used in the formulation of advanced polymer nanocomposites. Ceramic-based polymer nanocomposites integrate key attributes of polymer and ceramic nanomaterial to improve the dielectric properties such as breakdown strength, energy density and dielectric loss. This review describes the ”grafting from” and ”grafting to” approaches commonly adopted to graft polymer chains on NPs pertaining to nano-dielectrics. The article also covers various surface initiated controlled radical polymerization techniques, along with templated approaches for grafting of polymer chains onto SiO2, TiO2, BaTiO3, and Al2O3 nanomaterials. As a look towards applications, an outlook on high-performance polymer nanocomposite capacitors for the design of high energy density pulsed power thin-film capacitors is also presented.

scholarly journals Quantification of the ion transport mechanism in protective polymer coatings on lithium metal anodes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyao Zhou ◽  
Haodong Liu ◽  
Xing Xing ◽  
Zijun Wang ◽  
Sicen Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Transport Mechanism ◽  
Polymer Coatings ◽  
Rechargeable Batteries ◽  
Cycle Life ◽  
Lithium Metal ◽  
Lithium Metal Anodes ◽  
Protective Polymer ◽  
Deposition Morphology ◽  
Metal Anodes

Protective Polymer Coatings (PPCs) protect lithium metal anodes in rechargeable batteries to stabilize the Li/electrolyte interface and to extend the cycle life by reducing parasitic reactions and improving the lithium deposition morphology.

A High-Performance Free-Standing Zn Anode for Flexible Zinc-Ion Batteries

Nanoscale ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxi Gao ◽  
Jiawei Wang ◽  
Yuan Huang ◽  
Zixuan Li ◽  
Jiyan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Zinc Ion ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Zn Anode ◽  
Significant Attention

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted significant attention owing to their high safety, high energy density, and low cost. ZIBs have been studied as a potential energy device for portable and...

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