Electrospun Mixed Oxide-Based Composites as Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The Chapter describes the development of mixed oxide-based composites as cathodes developed by the electrospinning technique. A detailed discussion made on the preparation, structure, and performance of layered oxides, high-valent oxides of vanadium and molybdenum and mixed-valent oxides of vanadium. A special attention was also made in discussing the properties of mixed nickel-cobalt dioxide, mixed manganese-cobalt dioxide, lithium manganese dioxide, mixed nickel-manganese dioxide, multi-electron redox systems, lithium-rich mixed-metal dioxides, and mixed nickel-manganese-cobalt dioxides. The synthetic approach and structural aspects of electrospun iron oxides and phosphates like LiFePO4-3D carbon nanofiber composites, single-crystalline fork-like K2V8O21 composite as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries were also discussed. Among the various existing energy storage technologies, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are considered an effective solution to meet the increasing demand for high-energy electrochemical power sources. Electrospinning, a novel nanofiber technology, is a promising approach to develop high-performance nanofiber cathodes, which can potentially replace the currently used lithium-ion battery cathode materials. The chapter presents an overview of cathode materials employed for lithium-ion batteries, which includes materials, precursors, electrospinning conditions and the electrochemical performances of various electrospun nanofibers. The chapter mainly focuses on the development and studies of mixed oxide-based composites as cathodes developed using the electrospinning technique. A detailed discussion made on the preparation, structure, and performance of layered oxides, high-valent oxides of vanadium and molybdenum and mixed-valent oxides of vanadium. Special attention was made in discussing the properties of mixed nickel-cobalt dioxide, mixed manganese-cobalt dioxide, lithium manganese dioxide, mixed nickel-manganese dioxide, multi-electron redox systems, lithium-rich mixed metal dioxides, and mixed nickel-manganese-cobalt dioxides. The synthetic approach and structural aspects of electrospun iron oxides and phosphates like LiFePO4-3D carbon nanofiber composites, single-crystalline fork-like K2V8O21 composite as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries were also discussed. At the end, while concluding, we have also discussed the major challenges of using electrospinning in lithium-ion batteries related to the structure and performance improvement of nanofiber cathodes. To compile this chapter and to provide adequate information to the readers, we have explored all possible ways, such as research articles, reviews, books, book chapters and Google sites.