Development of core-shell nanomaterials for energy storage devices using chemical solution method

Abstract

Professor Tomoya Ohno and Associate Professor Shigeto Hirai, Kitami Institute of Technology, Kitami, Japan, are collaborating on research on the composition and coating of catalysts used in rechargeable metal-air batteries. Ohno specialises in surface coatings and powder technology and Hirai is an expert in electro- and solid-state chemistry and so these combined specialisms lend themselves well to the work. The researchers are developing long-life, high-performance bi-functional catalyst particles that can be mounted on rechargeable metal-air batteries, and are also proposing positive particles coated with a solid electrolyte for use in all-solid state lithium-ion batteries. Due to the high density associated with the design of the metal-air battery, it has the potential to store a lot more energy than conventional batteries. This means that metal-air batteries could prove transformative for industry, with the potential to be used in electric cars, national grid energy storage and other devices that require regular charging. However, the technology of the metal-air battery is still in progress and key concerns are the reliability of the cathode as well as the harsh effects of charging at high cathodic potentials. Ohno and Hirai are working to overcome these challenges by using chemical reaction and powder engineering techniques to add thin films of protective materials for the potential catalysts that could help stabilise the cathode. So far, the researchers have found that the protective layer on the bi-functional catalyst particles that were mounted on the metal-air secondary battery significantly improved the stability. They also found that the effect varies depending on the structure of the coating layer.