Application In Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Battery pack passive insulation strategies of electric vehicles under a frigid environment

Further application of electric vehicles (EVs) in frigid regions is hindered by the diminished performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at sub-zero temperatures. Developing efficient heat preservation strategies has significant implications for the broad application of EVs and LIBs. This study focuses on passive heat preservation strategies (PHPS) for battery packs in frigid environments (−30 °C). A validated 3D battery pack heat preservation model integrated with airflow is constructed in this paper, and the model analysis results indicate that arranging aerogels at the pack level provides superior heat preservation compared to cell and module levels. Additionally, the influence of flow field distribution (FFD) schemes on heat preservation performance is discovered. Both experimental and simulation results confirm that the proposed scheme can optimize the cooling rate to about 2.3 °C/h. Commencing from an initial temperature of 30 °C, extending the battery pack retention time above 0 °C to over 12 h under −30 °C can significantly expand the application of electric vehicles in frigid regions. This paper explores the primary factors affecting the heat dissipation of battery packs in the frigid temperature environment, which have great significance in guiding the heat preservation design of battery systems.

Study on the Preventive Effect of Au/CeO2 on Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway Caused by Overcharging

In this study, a flower-like Au/CeO2 supported catalyst composite anode was prepared to explore its impact on thermal runaway triggered by overcharging and flame. Through structural and performance characterization, it was found that the catalyst has a high specific surface area and good CO catalytic oxidation capability, with a CO removal rate higher than 99.97% at room temperature. Through electrical performance testing, it was discovered that, compared to batteries without the catalyst, batteries using the composite anode did not exhibit significant capacity degradation. In overcharge testing, the catalyst prolonged the voltage rise time and peak voltage occurrence time of the battery. In thermal runaway testing, the addition of the catalyst delayed the detection time of CO and significantly reduced the concentration of thermal runaway products, especially the peak concentration and integrated concentration of CO, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing thermal runaway products. Therefore, this study provides a new approach for improving the safety of lithium-ion batteries. The catalyst exhibits good performance in reducing toxic gases generated after thermal runaway and delaying the occurrence of thermal runaway, providing strong support for the safe application of lithium-ion batteries.

Water-soluble biowaste gum binders for natural graphite anode for lithium-ion batteries

Anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial, as lithium insertion takes place in the anode during the charging process. Also, it is rational to replace the conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) with a water-soluble binder because the former employs N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, which is environmentally harmful. To address the problem, we fabricated natural graphite (NG)-based anodes with water-soluble biowaste (W-SB) binders from the gum of the tree Cochlospermum gossypium and PVdF. Both of the electrodes were fabricated using 10 wt% of binder and were evaluated for their electrochemical performance. The NG-W-SB electrode showed good mechanical properties and maintained structural integrity after cycling, this promoted low charge transfer resistance on the electrode. NG-W-SB-based electrode showed high current peaks in the 1st cycle being an indication of enhanced electrochemical performance, unlike the NG-PVdF electrode which showed slightly low peaks. NG-W-SB maintained a higher stable capacity retention up to 360 cycles, whereas NG-PVdF had a capacity degradation after 200 cycles indicating a low capacity retention until the end of the cycle. Generally, W-SB binders showed highly enhanced cycling retention characteristics, comparable rate capabilities, and lower electrode resistance, which opened a new avenue for adopting biowaste (gum) as a functional water-soluble binder for LIBs applications.

Adsorption of LIBs Thermal Runaway Gases on TM-Decorated HfS2 Surface: A DFT Study.

With the wide application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in different fields, safety accidents occur frequently. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the thermal runaway gas for an early warning. In this article, the adsorption properties of the characteristic gases of LIBs thermal runaway gases are studied by density functional theory (DFT). The adsorption structure of TM (Co/Rh/Ir)-decorated HfS2 (TM@HfS2) is established, and its adsorption properties for C2H4, CH4, and CO are studied. The adsorption energy, charge transfer, band, DOS, charge difference density, work function, and recovery time are discussed in detail. The results show that Ir@HfS2 has the strongest adsorption performance for C2H4 and CO, so C2H4 and CO can be stably adsorbed on the surface of the Ir@HfS2 monolayer. The adsorption energy of CH4 on Co@HfS2 is stronger than those of Rh@HfS2 and Ir@HfS2, but the adsorption energy is still very small. By applying biaxial strain to Co@HfS2, we found that the adsorption energy increases with the increase in negative strain. This study provides a theoretical basis for the regulation of the adsorption properties of HfS2 by different transition metals.

Simple Solution Plasma Synthesis of Ni@NiO as High-Performance Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries Application.

Pursuing of straightforward and cost-effective methods for synthesizing high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries is a topic of significant interest. This study elucidates a one-step synthesis approach for a conversion composite using glow discharge in a nickel formate solution, yielding a composite precursor comprising metallic nickel, nickel hydroxide, and basic nickel salts. Subsequent annealing of the precursor facilitated the formation of the Ni@NiO composite, exhibiting exceptional electrochemical properties as anode material in Li-ion batteries: a capacity of approximately 1000 mAh g-1, cyclic stability exceeding 100 cycles, and favorable rate performance (200 mAh g-1 at 10 A g<M-.1). Comparative analysis across various methods for synthesizing NiO-based materials underscored the superiority of the Ni@NiO composite. Furthermore, an assessment of resource costs demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and scalability of the approach in terms of resource consumption per Ah. Lastly, the integration of a Ni@NiO anode with an NMC532 cathode in a full battery highlights Ni@NiO's potential for conversion anodes, achieving a practical gravimetric energy density of 92 Wh kg-1.

Research on Lithium Battery Recycling and Utilization

With the rapid development of new energy, lithium batteries, as one of the key technologies in the field of energy storage, play an important role. However, with the widespread application of lithium batteries, the problem of their disposal has become increasingly prominent, which not only affects the environment but also wastes precious resources. This article analyzes the domestic new energy lithium battery market situation and finds that domestic new energy is developing rapidly and the lithium battery market has huge potential. In terms of lithium battery recycling and utilization, comparison shows that foreign lithium battery recycling technology is relatively mature, but there are certain challenges in adapting to domestic actual conditions and cost control. Although there are some advanced recycling technologies in China, the overall level still needs to be improved.

Application of Li6.4La3Zr1.45Ta0.5Mo0.05O12/PEO Composite Solid Electrolyte in High-Performance Lithium Batteries.

Replacing the flammable liquid electrolytes with solid ones has been considered to be the most effective way to improve the safety of the lithium batteries. However, the solid electrolytes often suffer from low ionic conductivity and poor rate capability due to their relatively stable molecular/atomic architectures. In this study, we report a composite solid electrolyte, in which polyethylene oxide (PEO) is the matrix and Li6.4La3Zr1.45Ta0.5Mo0.05O12 (LLZTMO) and Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) are the fillers. Ta/Mo co-doping can further promote the ion transport capacity in the electrolyte. The synthesized composite electrolytes exhibit high thermal stability (up to 413 °C) and good ionic conductivity (LLZTMO-PEO 2.00 × 10-4 S·cm-1, LLZTO-PEO 1.53 × 10-4 S·cm-1) at 35 °C. Compared with a pure PEO electrolyte, whose ionic conductivity is in the range of 10-7~10-6 S·cm-1, the ionic conductivity of composite solid electrolytes is greatly improved. The full cell assembled with LiFePO4 as the positive electrode exhibits excellent rate performance and good cycling stability, indicating that prepared solid electrolytes have great potential applications in lithium batteries.

Effect of lithium-containing inorganic phosphate additives in stabilization of carbonate-based electrolyte for 5 V LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-based lithium-ion batteries

High-voltage lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode are considered promising energy sources due to their high energy density. However, enhancing the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface remains critical for the practical application of LIBs. In this work, lithium-containing inorganic phosphates (LiPO3, Li3PO4, and LiH2PO4) were used as multifunctional inorganic additives to improve the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface in 5.0 V, LNMO-based LIBs with carbonate-based electrolytes. Based on theoretical calculations and experimental evaluations of the electrochemical performance, LiPO3 was selected as the optimal additive for further study in LNMO/Li and LNMO/Li4Ti5O12 cells. The LNMO/Li half-cells with LiPO3 delivered an initial discharge capacity of 108.8 mAh∙g−1 and retained a capacity of 94.9 % after 500 cycles at 5C, compared to 75.1 mAh∙g−1 and 79.4 % for the standard electrolyte. The increased cycling stability was ascribed to the ability of the multifunctional, film-forming LiPO3 additive to form stable interfacial films on both the cathode and anode, thus, inhibiting side reactions between the electrodes and electrolyte. Moreover, as an HF scavenger, LiPO3 reduced the HF content in the electrolyte to ensure the structural integrity of LNMO and inhibit the dissolution of transition metal ions. In the LNMO/Li4Ti5O12 full cells, the addition of LiPO3 effectively enhanced the cycling performance, and the capacity retention after 400 cycles at 5C was 79.1 %, compared to only 12.3 % for the standard electrolyte. Considering its simplicity, low cost, and feasibility, the addition of LiPO3 as a multifunctional electrolyte additive showed excellent prospects for commercial applications.

High-entropy doping promising ultrahigh-Ni Co-free single-crystalline cathode toward commercializable high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

The development of advanced layered Ni-rich cathodes is essential for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the prevalent Ni-rich cathodes are still plagued by inherent issues of chemomechanical and thermal instabilities and limited cycle life. For this, here, we introduce an efficient approach combining single-crystalline (SC) design with in situ high-entropy (HE) doping to engineer an ultrahigh-Ni cobalt-free layered cathode of LiNi0.88Mn0.03Mg0.02Fe0.02Ti0.02Mo0.02Nb0.01O2 (denoted as HE-SC-N88). Thanks to the SC- and HE-doping merits, HE-SC-N88 is featured with a grain-boundary-free and stabilized structure with minimal lattice strain, preventing mechanical degradation, reducing surface parasitic reactions, and mitigating oxygen loss. Accordingly, our HE-SC-N88 cathode demonstrates exceptional electrochemical properties particularly with prolonged cycling stability under strenuous conditions in both half and full cells, and the delayed O loss-induced phase transitions upon heating. More meaningfully, our design of HE doping in redefining the ultrahigh-Ni Co-free SC cathodes will make a tremendous progress toward industrial application of next-generation LIBs.

Effects of different Ti concentrations doping on Li2MnO3 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries via density functional theory

Li2MnO3 is extensively studied for a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries because of its high voltage and specific capacity. Nevertheless, it has the disadvantages due to low conductivity and Li-ion diffusion. To modify its performance, we determine the structure stability and electronic properties of Li2MnO3 cathodes doped with different Ti-ion concentrations using the spin-polarized density functional theory including the Hubbard term (DFT + U). For the calculations, cell parameters, formation energies, band gaps, total density of states, partial density of states and stability voltages are determined. The results highlight that the expansion of the cell volumes by Ti-ion impurities has a positive effect on the diffusion of Li ions in these cathodes. Because of the minor voltage changes, Li2MnO3 cathode doped with a Ti-ion concentration of 0.250 exhibits the highest voltage stability. Overall, these results are effective for the lithium-ion battery application based on Ti-doped Li2MnO3 cathodes.

High-energy density ultra-thick drying-free Ni-rich cathode electrodes for application in Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can be considered as one of the pivotal components required to succeed in the drive towards a greener future. However, the current processing methods for the cathode electrode make it harmful and costly due to the toxic solvent drying and recovery stages. Additionally, the reliance on LIBs particularly emphasizes the imperative for increased energy density in both volume and weight, which predominantly relies on the cathode. To surmount these challenges, this research analyses the true requirements of a novel process and introduces a novel solvent-assisted binder (SaB) dry electrode approach to satisfy them. This innovative method incorporates a low-boiling point and relatively non-toxic solvent (ethanol) at less than 3 wt.%, enhancing the processability of the electrode without compromising safety, cost reductions, or environmental impact associated with traditional dry processes. The SaB process allows the calendaring to cause less damage to the electrode thanks to the binder distribution and allows for better fibrillization of the binder, improving the electrode microstructure. Over 100 cycles at 1C, the SaB dry electrode achieves 77.70% capacity retention, surpassing the standard dry electrode's 72.39% at a loading of approximately 30 mg cm−2 and is also capable of performing at ultra-high loadings up to 60 mg cm−2.

Theoretical prediction of SbP3 monolayer as anode material for lithium-ion battery applications

Herein, we have carried out a systematic investigation using first-principles calculations on the properties of Li atoms adsorbed on SbP3 monolayer in order to evaluate its pertinence as an anode material for (LIBs). The diffusion barrier value of Li atom on the SbP3 monolayer is around 0.44 eV, which is quite low. The value of OCV of the SbP3 monolayer is moderate and comparable to the commercial anode materials TiO2. Also, the theoretical storage capacity of Li-ion in SbP3 monolayer is 499.36 mAhg−1. Therefore, these findings render the SbP3 monolayer a potential candidate as an efficient anode material for LIBs.

Effect of low temperature and high-rate cyclic aging on thermal characteristics and safety of lithium-ion batteries

With the popularity of electric vehicles and climate change, it has become a typical scene to charge lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at low temperatures at a high rate. Low temperature and high-rate charge and discharge would change the performance and then affect temperature rises, heat production and thermal runaway (TR) characteristics. This study tests the temperature rises of aging 18650 LIBs at various ambient temperatures and charge and discharge rates. The entropy and enthalpy changes of the batteries are computed based on the entropy coefficients, and subsequently, the heat productions of the batteries are computed. The TR test is carried out to explore the influence of rapid aging at low temperature environment on the thermal safety of LIBs. In this work, the heat generation mechanism and thermal runaway characteristics of lithium-ion batteries after low-temperature and high-rate cyclic aging are introduced in detail, aiming to provide a reference for the process safe design and application of lithium-ion batteries at low-temperature and fast charging scenarios.

Garnet conductor network with Zr doping to implement surface bifunctional modification for Ni-rich cathodes

High‑nickel oxides are promising cathode materials for next-generation lithium batteries due to their high discharge capacity. LiNi0.83Co0.11Mn0.06O2(NCM83), a polycrystalline material widely used for its excellent performance, faces challenges such as interfacial side reactions and lattice oxygen release that hinder its electrochemical performance under high voltage. To promote the high-voltage performance of NCM83, Li7La3Zr2O12, a fast ion conductor with high conductivity and a wide electrochemical window, is taken into account. Here, the oxidation reaction and element diffusion are employed during high-temperature sintering to realize dual functional modification of NCM83 materials, including La-rich conductor network construction and near-surface Zr doping. Impressively, the modified electrode shows excellent cycling performance with 82.14 % retention after 200 cycles at 2.8–4.6 V, and splendid rate capability. Detailed studies reveal that ZrO bonds inhibit the migration of transition metal ions, preventing the distortion of the material structure. The surface ionic conductor network layer provides fast Li+ diffusion channels and protects the interfacial layer from electrolyte decomposition products. The facile Li7La3Zr2O12 modification method proposed in this paper is suitable for solving the interfacial and structural stability of cathode materials, offering hope for the application of high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

Controlled morphology significantly enhances electrochemical performance of LaNiO3-NiO anodes for Li-ion batteries

Traditional graphite anodes have become increasingly reliable in lithium-ion battery applications. However, there is an urgent need to overcome their limitations, such as the low theoretical capacity and less favorable rate performance. Recently, perovskite-type oxides have garnered increasing attentions as anodes owing to their advantages of capacity, rate performance, lifespan, and safety. In our previous study, the electrochemical performance of LaNiO3-NiO nanoparticles was enhanced compared to those of LaNiO3, primarily thanks to the synergistic effect of the biscuit-shaped LaNiO3-NiO and graphene-like layered g-C3N4. Morphology modulation is an important method for enhancing the performance of the anode materials. Based on this concept, we designed two kinds of LaNiO3-NiO with different morphologies (micro-sphere and micro-flower), and tested their physical and electrochemical properties. The discharge capacity of the LaNiO3-NiO micro-sphere anode was 714.5 mAh g−1 after 950 cycles at 1000 mA g−1, which is significantly higher than those of LaNiO3-NiO micro-flower and nanoparticle. However, the LaNiO3-NiO Micro-flower anode maintains a reversible capacity of 144.2 mAh g−1 at 10.0 A g−1, which is higher than that of the LaNiO3-NiO Micro-sphere electrode (125.8 mAh g−1). It was found that the morphology modification endows the electrodes possessing their own outstanding electrochemical properties.

Structural modulation of Nb2O5 for enhanced Lithium-ion battery Performance: Insights from density functional theory and electrochemical characterization

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), extensively utilized today, encounter challenges with anode materials, such as capacity degradation and shortened cycle life during prolonged cyclic charging and discharging. These issues significantly hinder further advancements and applications of LIBs. Among various innovative anode materials, niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) has garnered considerable interest due to its high specific capacity and exceptional cycling stability. However, different crystal types of Nb2O5 have different structures and properties, so they need to be studied in depth to find better anode materials for LIBs. In this paper, pseudo-hexagonal (TT-Nb2O5), orthorhombic (T-Nb2O5), and monoclinic (H-Nb2O5) crystalline forms of Nb2O5 have been prepared by simple ball milling and calcination methods. We have calculated the structural model of the material based on the density flooding theory (DFT), and the results have demonstrated that the T-Nb2O5 has a large structural advantage, which is characterized by a very low diffusion energy barrier, a low internal resistance, and a higher conductivity. The electrochemical properties of the material were also analyzed, and T-Nb2O5 has excellent cycling stability and rate performance. After 200 cycles (at 0.1A/g), the specific capacity of T-Nb2O5 was maintained at 440.8mAh/g. 3000 cycles at high current (at 5A/g) maintained a specific capacity of 95mAh/g. T-Nb2O5 has great potential, which has already been proved. With the continuous pursuit and development of energy storage technology, we believe that the research of different crystalline types of Nb2O5 will provide us with more efficient and reliable energy storage solutions.

Fluorine-Doped Li7La3Zr2O12 Fiber-Based Composite Electrolyte for Solid-State Lithium Batteries with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance.

Garnet-based electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and excellent stability against lithium metal anodes are promising for commercial applications in solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs). However, the further development of SSLBs is inhibited by issues such as low ionic conductivity and uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth. Herein, we report the synthesis of fluorine-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO-F0.2) fibers by electrospinning and the subsequent calcination at high temperatures. The solid composite electrolyte with LLZO-F0.2 exhibits an ionic conductivity of 5.37 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a high lithium-ion transference number of 0.61 at room temperature. Meanwhile, it exhibits lower resistance and more uniform lithium metal stripping and deposition in symmetric cells. The full cell with LiFePO4 cathode exhibits excellent rate capability and cycling stability for 800 cycles at 0.5 C with a discharge specific capacity retention of 97.7%. This fluorine-doped fibrous garnet-type electrolyte provides a viable option for preparing high-performance SSLBs.

Surface engineering of Li3V2(PO4)3-based cathode materials with enhanced performance for lithium-ion batteries working in a wide temperature range

Operating at extreme temperatures is the biggest challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in practical applications, as both the capacity and cycling stability of LIBs are largely decreased due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of the cathodes. Therefore, developing suitable cathode materials is the key point to tackling this challenge. Lithium vanadium phosphate [Li3V2(PO4)3, LVP] is a promising cathode with good features of a high working voltage, high intrinsic ionic diffusion coefficiency, and stable olivine structure in a wide temperature range, although it is perplexed by the low electronic conductivity. To tackle this issue, a series of nitrogen-doped carbon network (NC) coated LVP composites were synthesized using a hydrothermal-assisted sol-gel method. Among them, the LVP@NC-0.8 sample exhibited a remarkable tolerance at a high charging cutoff voltage of 4.8 V in a wide temperature range. Full cells of LVP@NC-0.8||graphite exhibited superior performance at different current rates. Moreover, the reaction mechanism of the LVP@NC-0.8 electrode was proved by in-situ X-ray diffraction technique, demonstrating that temperature was a critical factor that contributed to the sluggish phase transformation with high voltage hysteresis at low temperature and severe crystal structure distortion at high temperature. Theoretical calculations further demonstrated the superiority of the NC for high electronic conductivity and reduced lithium transportation barriers. The enhanced electrochemical performances of LVP-based cathode materials have provided the possible application of LIBs in a wide temperature range.

Unraveling the relationship between the mineralogical characteristics and lithium storage performance of natural graphite anode materials

Anode materials play critical role in cycling life of lithium-ion batteries in practical applications such as electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronic devices, and large-scale power grids. Natural graphite is one of the most successful anodes for commercial lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost and low operating voltage. The mineralogical properties of graphite minerals have an important effect on the electrochemical performance of graphite anode, while their relationship remains ambiguous. In this work, natural graphite samples from four main graphite mining areas in China were selected as the research object, and their mineralogical characteristics were characterized by XRD, SEM, Raman, ICP, SEM, FIB, BET and other test methods. The properties of crystallinity, morphology, surface/phase defects, impurities, and specific surface area of graphite were studied. The results show that the cyclic stability of graphite is mainly affected by bulk defects and crystallinity, and the initial coulombic efficiency is mainly affected by surface defects and specific surface area. Graphite samples with appropriate surface defects, fewer volume defects, appropriate crystallinity, and small specific surface area have better electrochemical performance. It is hoped that this work should guide the manufacture and modification of the natural graphite anodes and promote its wider application in lithium-ion batteries.

The regeneration process of FePO4 in electrochemical lithium extraction: The role of alkali ions

The rapid expansion of lithium battery applications has resulted in a shortage of lithium resources, prompting researchers to focus on the electrochemical extraction of lithium from water resources using FePO4 as the host material. However, a large amount of alkali metal impurity ions in brine leads to irreversible capacity loss, limiting the industrial application of FePO4 materials in lithium extraction. The mechanism of alkali metal ions’ influence on FePO4 materials remains unclear. To address this issue, the quaternary phase diagram of FePO4-LiFePO4-NaFePO4-KFePO4 and the diffusion barriers of lithium/sodium ions in FePO4 were obtained for the first time based on the theoretical calculation of density functional theory (DFT). DFT and X-ray diffraction (XRD) refinement revealed that the inability to remove Na2/3FePO4 from the FePO4 is a critical issue affecting electrode recyclability. An innovative electrode regeneration process was proposed to enhance the lifespan of FePO4 material. The Na2/3FePO4 impurity was converted to LiFePO4 using K2S2O8 abstersion and 0.1 mol/L LiCl lithiation regeneration process. After five rounds of regenerations, the total lithium extraction of the material could still reach 80.18 % of the extraction of the brand-new electrode, demonstrating the multiple reuses of the host material and cost savings. These innovative discoveries can advance the industrial application of electrochemical lithium extraction from FePO4 electrode materials.