Electrode Materials For Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Impact of Mechanical Degradation in Polycrystalline NMC Particle on the Electrochemical Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely chosen for energy storage owing to their high coulombic efficiency and energy density. Within the positive electrode materials of LIBs, the structural integrity of secondary particles, composed of randomly oriented single-crystal primary particles, is crucial for sustained performance. These particles can fracture as a result of both mechanical stress and chemical interactions within the solid. Modelling LIBs is a complex task involving electro-chemo-mechanical phenomena and their interactions on different length scales. This study proposes a numerical modeling framework to investigate the active particle degradation and its impact on electrochemical performance. The model integrates mechanical and electrochemical processes, tracking crack evolution and mechanical failure through phase field damage. The coupled time-dependent non-linear partial differential equations are solved in a finite element framework using COMSOL Multiphysics. The model offers numerical insights into intergranular and transgranular fracture within secondary particles. The electrolyte infiltration into cracks reduces the electrochemical overpotential due to the increase in electrochemically active surface area, positively affecting performance. However, prolonged cycling with particle cracking poses severe threat to the battery performance and capacity. This comprehensive numerical modeling approach provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay of mechanical and electrochemical factors governing LIB performance and degradation.

Nanoflake Ni-MOF anchored octahedral nickel-porphyrins as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

Metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) have great potential as organic electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their amiable porous structure and property tunability. However, the structure instability and poor electrochemical durability of MOFs hinders their application. An interesting metal–organic composite composed of Ni-MOF and Nickel (II)meso-Tetraphenylporphyin (NiTPP) is strategically proposed and configured in this study. The synergic integration of Ni-MOF and NiTPP presents a stable electrochemical cycling performance with a high retention capacity up to 840 mAh/g after 200 cycles, ascribed to the facilitation of the charge transfer capability and the diffusion kinetics. The configured metal–organic composites provide an explorative approach for organic alternatives for nonaqueous metal-ion batteries.

Enhanced performance of Mo-doped TiNb2O7 anode material for lithium-ion batteries via KOH sub-molten salt synthesis

TiNb2O7 (TNO) as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has relatively high safety and high theoretical capacity, making it an excellent alternative to the graphite anode. Nevertheless, its practical application is limited by its sluggish ionic and electronic conductivity. To address this challenge, Mo-doped TiNb2O7 (Mo-TNO) is synthesized via a KOH sub-molten salt method followed by calcining process. In this method, the low-cost raw materials are co-dissolved and then coprecipitated to achieve homogeneous mixing and particle refinement, further ensuring the uniformity of calcined products. The doping of Mo6+ facilitates cation mixing and charge compensation, leading to reduced charge transfer resistance and enhanced electronic conductivity. The reversible specific capacity of Mo-TNO after 300 cycles is maintained at 148 mA h g−1 with a high capacity-retention of 80 % at 5C. Even at 30C, it still exhibits a better capacity of 100.2 mA h g−1, much higher than the pristine TNO (58.9 mA h g−1). Furthermore, the full battery employing Mo-TNO as an anode and commercial LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM) as a cathode exhibits superior electrochemical performances with promising application prospect. These findings underscore the significant potential of Mo-TNO as a high-rate and long-life anode material for LIBs.

Lithium-Ion Dynamic and Storage of Atomically Precise Halogenated Nanographene Assemblies via Bottom-Up Chemical Synthesis.

Graphene has received much scientific attention as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its extraordinary physical and electrical properties. However, the lack of structural control and restacking issues have hindered its application as carbon-based anode materials for next generation lithium-ion batteries. To improve its performance, several modification approaches such as edge-functionalization and electron-donating/withdrawing substitution have been considered as promising strategies. In addition, group 7A elements have been recognized as critical elements due to their electronegativity and electron-withdrawing character, which are able to further improve the electronic and structural properties of materials. Herein, we elucidated the chemistry of nanographenes with edge-substituted group 7A elements as lithium-ion battery anodes. The halogenated nanographenes were synthesized via bottom-up organic synthesis to ensure the structural control. Our study reveals that the presence of halogens on the edge of nanographenes not only tunes the structural and electronic properties but also impacts the material stability, reactivity, and Li+ storage capability. Further systematic spectroscopic studies indicate that the charge polarization caused by halogen atoms could regulate the Li+ transport, charge transfer energy, and charge storage behavior in nanographenes. Overall, this study provides a new molecular design for nanographene anodes aiming for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Inherent Behavior of Electrode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

For independency from the fossil fuels and to save environment, we need to move toward the green energies, which requires better energy storage devices, especially for usage in electric vehicles. Li-ion and beyond-lithium insertion batteries are promising to this aim. However, they suffer from some inherent limitations which must be understood to allow their development and pave the way to find suitable energy storage alternatives. It is found that each positive or negative electrode material (cathode or anode) of the intercalation batteries has its own behavioral (charge-discharge) properties. The modification of preparation parameters (composition, loading density, porosity, particle size, etc.) may improve some aspects of the electrode performance, but cannot change the intrinsic property of the electrode itself. Accordingly, these properties are called as the "inherent behavior characteristics" of the active material. It is concluded that the behavior of a specific electrode substance, even following different preparation routes, depends only on diffusion mechanisms. This work shows that the inherent electrode properties can be visualized by representation of current density vs. capacity.

Hierarchical Ni3V2O8@N-Doped Carbon Hollow Double-Shell Microspheres for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Storage.

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are highly dense in energy and considered as promising anode materials for a new generation of alkaline ion batteries. However, their electrode structure is disrupted due to significant volume changes during charging and discharging, resulting in the short cycle life of batteries. In this paper, the hierarchical Ni3V2O8@N-doped carbon (Ni3V2O8@NC) hollow double-shell microspheres were prepared and used as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The utilization efficiency and ion transfer rate of Ni3V2O8 were improved by the hollow microsphere structure formed through nanoparticle self-assembly. Furthermore, the uniform N-doped carbon layer not only enhanced the structural stability of Ni3V2O8, but also improved the overall electrical conductivity of the composite. The Ni3V2O8@NC electrode has an initial discharge capacity of up to 1167.3 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.3 A g-1, a reversible capacity of up to 726.5 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles, and still has a capacity of 567.6 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1, indicating that the material has good cycle stability and high-rate capability. This work presents new findings on the design and fabrication of complex porous double-shell nanostructures.

Metal-organic framework cobalt gallate derived high-voltage carbon coated lithium cobalt oxide cathode and porous carbon supported cobalt oxide anode materials for superior lithium-ion storage

Exploring innovative green synthesis strategies for both cathode and anode materials with improved lithium-ion storage capabilities is of great importance in developing advanced lithium-ion batteries. In this work, a metal-organic framework (MOF) typed sample cobalt gallate (Co-GA), prepared by the direct redox coprecipitation reaction using gallic acid (GA) molecules and metallic cobalt (Co) foils in mild hydrothermal condition, is employed as a precursor for engineering electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries with high atomic efficiency and low environmental impact. Taking the advantages of the unique microstructure and chemical composition of MOF materials, the Co-GA precursor can be easily converted to a rod-like porous carbon framework confined cobalt oxide nanoparticle anode material (Co3O4/RPC) and a thin carbon layer coated nanosized lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) cathode material (LCO/C), respectively, by simply changing the solid-state reaction conditions. In half-cells with metallic lithium as counter electrode, the LCO/C cathode delivers a stable reversible capacity of 189.33 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA·g−1 and 128.61 mAh·g−1 after 800 cycles at 1000 mA·g−1 in the voltage range of 3.0–4.6 V, while the Co3O4/RPC anode shows a high reversible capacity of 1081.33 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA·g−1 and 901.09 mAh·g−1 after 400 cycles at 1000 mA·g−1. This work provides a new perspective for green engineering of both anodic and cathodic materials with enhanced lithium-ion storage performances derived from MOF-typed precursors.

Synthesis of Co@CoO/C by micro-tube method and their electrochemical performances

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are promising secondary batteries that are widely used in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and smart grids. The design and synthesis of high-performance electrode materials play a crucial role in achieving lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, prolonged cycle life, and superior safety. CoO has attracted significant attention as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and abundant resources. However, its limited conductivity and suboptimal cycling performance impede its potential applications. The study proposes a novel micro-tube reaction method for the synthesis of Co@CoO/C, utilizing Kapok fiber as a template with a special hollow structure. The microstructure and composition of the samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After conducting electrochemical performance tests, it was discovered that at a current density of 100 mA/g and within the range of 0.01–3.0 V for 50 charge and discharge cycles. Co@CoO/C composite negative electrode exhibits a reversible lithium insertion specific capacity of 499.8 mAh/g and keep a discharge capacity retention rate of 97.6 %. The greatly improved lithium storage and stability performance of Co@CoO/C composite anode is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between Co@CoO nanoparticles and the kapok carbon microtubule structure.

Tuning the morphology of argan shells-based activated carbon towards applications as an anode for lithium-ion battery

The application of carbonaceous materials other than graphite as an anode for lithium-ion batteries can generate significant advantages, mainly in terms of cost and sustainability while achieving high specific capacities. In this work, we successfully managed to tune the morphology of activated carbon prepared from argan shells to be used as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. Both Nanosphere-AC and Honeycomb-AC are obtained from the same precursor. The AC samples were comprehensively characterized using sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transforming infrared spectroscopy. Both materials were tested as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. It was found that Nanosphere-AC permitted great specific capacity (700 mAh.g−1at 50 mAh.g−1) and long-term cycling, showing no apparent capacity fade even after 200 cycles, offering promising application potential. Whereas Honeycomb-AC only achieved 220 mAh.g−1 at 50 mAh.g−1, but still exhibited great long-term cycling performance after 200 cycles and rate capability properties.

Pompon Mum-like SiO2/C Nanospheres with High Performance as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

SiO2 has a much higher theoretical specific capacity (1965 mAh g−1) than graphite, making it a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries, but its low conductivity and volume expansion problems need to be improved urgently. In this work, pompon mum-like SiO2/C nanospheres with the sandwich and porous nanostructure were obtained by using dendritic fibrous nano silica (DFNS) and glucose as matrix and carbon source, respectively, through hydrothermal, carbonization and etching operations. The influence of SiO2 content and porous structure on its electrochemical performance was discussed in detail. The final results showed that the C/DFNS-6 with a SiO2 content of 6 wt% exhibits the best electrochemical performance as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its optimal specific surface area, porosity, and appropriate SiO2 content. C/DFNS-6 displays a high specific reversible capacity of 986 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and 529 mAh g−1 at a high current density (1.0 A g−1) after 300 cycles. It also has excellent rate capability, with a reversible capacity that rises from 599 mAh g−1 to 1066 mAh g−1 when the current density drops from 4.0 A g−1 to 0.2 A g−1. These SiO2/C specific pompon mum-like nanospheres with excellent electrochemical performance have great research significance in the field of lithium-ion batteries.

Improvement effect of Co and Ce oxides on the properties of CeO2-Co2O3-Fe2O3 anode materials

Lithium-ion batteries offer several advantages, including high specific energy, extended lifespan, portability, and environmental friendliness. Transition metal oxides are attractive candidates for negative electrode materials due to their higher theoretical specific capacity. To address issues related to poor stability and volume expansion, cobalt trioxide and cerium oxide were introduced as dopants in iron oxide. This study involved the preparation of Co2O3-Fe2O3 and CeO2-Co2O3-Fe2O3 composites, followed by structural characterization and investigation of their electrochemical properties. The doping of cobalt and cerium oxide proved advantageous in refining particle size. Notably, 1% Co2O3-Fe2O3 particles displayed uniform sizing and tight binding. Additionally, the sample containing 0.05% CeO2 exhibited the smallest particle size and a more homogeneous distribution. Furthermore, cobalt and cerium oxide doping significantly improved electrochemical stability. The discharge capacity of 1% Co2O3-Fe2O3 and 0.05% CeO2-1% Co2O3-Fe2O3 after undergoing 100 constant-current charge and discharge cycle respectively remained at 553.17 mAh/g, 698.57 mAh/g. As a negative electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the composite oxide 0.05% CeO2-1% Co2O3-Fe2O3 demonstrated superior reversibility and stability during the process of lithium-ion insertion and removal, while also exhibiting low contact resistance and charge transfer resistance.

Metal-organic frameworks based on ternary transition metal ions for high-performance lithium ion batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) materials have been widely researched in energy conversion systems because of porosity and active sites. However, applying MOF as an electrode material remains challenging because of its structural instability. In this work, two novel materials are designed to promote the research of MOFs-based electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Two ternary metallic ions (Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+) constituent MOFs with two- and three-dimensional (3D) structures are synthesized by combining with benzene-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexacarboxylate (BHC) ligand via a simple hydrothermal method. The structures of MCN-1 and MCN-2 belong to monoclinic symmetry, C2/c space group. The 3D structure of MCN-2 can enhance the interfacial contact between electrode materials and electrolytes and provide more active sites for the storage of Li+. Electrochemical experiments show that the 3D structure ternary MOF delivers an ultra-high capacity of 807.3 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1, even though a phase transition occurs during the electrochemical process. This superior performance is rationally owing to the synergetic mechanism of intercalation/deintercalation combined with capacitance behavior, which has broad application prospects as anode material.

Synthesis of Organopolysilazane Nanoparticles as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes with Superior Electrochemical Performance via the Two-Step Stöber Method.

The Stöber method, a widely utilized sol-gel technique, stands as a green and reliable approach for preparing nanostructures on a large scale. In this study, we employed an enhanced Stöber method to synthesize organopolysilazane nanoparticles (OPSZ NPs), utilizing polysilazane oligomers as the primary precursor material and ammonia as the catalytic agent. By implementing a two-step addition process, control over crucial parameters facilitated the regulation of the nanoparticle size. Generally, maintaining relatively low concentrations of organopolysilazane and catalyst while adjusting the water/acetonitrile ratio can effectively enhance the surface energy of the organopolysilazane, resulting in the uniform formation of small spherical particles. The average particle size of the synthesized OPSZ NPs is about 140 nm, which were monodispersed and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Furthermore, the composition of OPSZ NPs after pyrolysis was confirmed as SiC2.054N0.206O1.631 with 5.44 wt % free carbon structure by X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Notably, the electrochemical performance assessment of SiCNO NPs as potential electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries exhibited promising outcomes. Specifically, at 1 A g-1 current density, the specific capacity is 585.45 mA h g-1 after 400 cycles, and the minimum capacity attenuation per cycle is only 0.1076 mA h g-1 (0.0172% of the original capacity), which indicates excellent energy storage capacity and cycle stability. In summary, this research contributes to the development of advanced anode materials for next-generation energy storage systems, marking a stride toward sustainable energy solutions.

Comparative Study on the Electrochemical Behaviors of Positive Electrode Materials of Lithium-ion Batteries during Overdischarge

As lithium-ion battery (LIB) use rises, recycling becomes imperative. Efficiently overdischarging LIBs for residual energy extraction is crucial for safe recycling. Our study analyzes the electrochemical behavior during overdischarge for positive electrode materials, including LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622), LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811), LiFePO4 (LFP), LiCoO2 (LCO), and LiMn2O4 (LMO). Electrochemical evaluations involve half cells and full cells subjected to constant current overdischarge beyond normal operating ranges. In positive electrode half-cells, a material-dependent conversion reaction was observed, while full cells exhibited similar behaviors during overdischarge to 0 V due to increasing voltage at the negative electrode. Distinct electrochemical variations emerged under forced discharge below 0 V, particularly in the NCM series, showing a gradual voltage decrease to −2 V followed by an internal short circuit. In contrast, LFP, LCO, and LMO swiftly stabilized near 0 V, attributed to the lower initial Coulombic efficiency of NCM materials leading to an early rise in negative electrode potential. To recycle used lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), it’s crucial to optimize conditions that ensure both efficient and safe overdischarge, considering the characteristics of positive electrode materials.

Redox process and lithiation mechanism of amorphous vanadium-silicon materials as lithium-ion battery anode

V2O5-TeO2 (VT) is a vanadium-based amorphous lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode material that exhibits a high specific energy, but its low-capacity retention rate and low conductivity limit its widespread application. Different amounts of Si were introduced into VT anode materials to increase their initial discharge capacity and conductivity, which regulated the vanadium redox reaction. 67 V2O5-30TeO2-3Si (VTS3) exhibited the highest conductivity and V4+ content (49.8%). When the Si content was increased, the V4+ content decreased, indicating that Si successfully regulated the redox reaction. The results showed that VTS3 had a high initial discharge capacity of 1187.3 mAh g−1, while that of VT was only 906.5 mAh g−1. After 50 charge-discharge cycles, the retention rates of VT and VTS3 were 15.6% and 25.0%, respectively. After cycling, the precipitation of nanocrystals, especially LiV2O5, from the glass matrix improved the capacity retention of VTS3 by enhancing reversible lithium insertion. The synergy of this disordered-ordered transition improved the discharge capacity and reversibility. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that due to the substitution of Si, the gap between Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1 was shortened, Li-O electron aggregation was enhanced, the structure was improved, and electronic conductivity was enhanced. At the same time, sufficient Si content increased the initial specific capacity but reduced the retention rate, which was because the volume expansion during the charge-discharge cycle reduced the number of active sites. This work offers a new strategy for preparing LIB electrode materials by introducing Si to regulate redox reactions and precipitate nanocrystals.

Downsizing and coating effects on the electrochemical performance of Mn-doped iron fluorophosphate as cathode material for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium Mn-doped iron fluorophosphate Na2Fe0·5Mn0·5PO4F is a potential positive electrode material for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. This study outlines the synthesis of Na2Fe0·5Mn0·5PO4F powder through a simplified and more accessible production method. The X-rays diffraction (XRD) technique showed a pure phase with monoclinic symmetry (S.G. P21/n). The resulting uncoated material (labeled as NFeMPF) was ball-milled with dopamine hydrochloride (mentioned as dopamine hereafter) as a carbon source to enhance the specific surface and improve its electronic conductivity. Raman spectra confirmed the presence of residual carbon after the pyrolysis process. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated the stability of Mn-doped iron fluorophosphate up to 1000 °C. Additionally, Mössbauer spectroscopy disclosed structural improvements in the material, indicating the reduction of all Fe(III) when coated with dopamine. The uncoated material discharge capacity when cycled against sodium exhibits reversible capacities of only 80, 67, and 38 mAh/g during the first cycle at C/20, C/16, and C/5, respectively. The coated NFeMPF@D delivered improved capacities of 272 and 202 mAh/g at C/20 and C/16, respectively. This highlights the considerable promise of the investigated phosphate-based electrode material as a cathode composite for the next generation of sodium-ion batteries.

Avocado seed biomass-assisted synthesis of heterostructure bismuth vanadate nanomaterial by combustion method for the application of electrochemical lithium battery storage and supercapacitor

With the global demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), research is focused on developing advanced energy storage materials with high energy and power densities. Hetero-structured nanomaterials have garnered significant interest in energy storage applications based on their unique architecture providing sites for improved electrochemical activity. This work reports a facile single-step combustion synthesis of bismuth vanadate nanoparticles (BVNPs) using avocado seed powder, an economical and eco-friendly fuel source. By optimizing the precursor-to-fuel ratio to 1:1, highly pure phase BVNPs were obtained as characterized via XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, TEM, UV-DRS, PL, BET, and DLS analyses. When assessed as an electrode material for LIBs, the BVNP1:1 delivered an exceptional initial discharge capacity of 2166 mAhg−1 and a retention of ∼53 mAhg−1 over 90 cycles with 99% Coulombic efficiency. The BVNP1:1 electrode exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 545.65 mF/cm2 at 2 mA/cm2 current density as a supercapacitor. The combination of scalable green synthesis, excellent phase purity, and superior electrochemical performance makes these BVNPs a promising and sustainable electrode material for forthcoming energy storage technologies to meet the surging energy needs.

Fluorinated boron nitride nanosheet as a high-performance electrode material for ion batteries via first-principles calculations

Developing promising two-dimensional (2D) electrode for ion battery with excellent performances has attracted extensive attention in recent years. Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) is called “white graphene” due to it has an analogous structure to graphene. BNNS is semiconductor with a relatively large band gap, while it turns into a ferromagnetic half-metal via unilateral fluorination. In this paper, the electronic properties of F-BNNS and its potential application as an electrode material of lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have been systematically studied via first-principles calculations. It demonstrates that F-BNNS not only exhibits a low diffusion energy barrier but also has a very high storage capacity. The diffusion barriers for Li (Na) diffusing along path I and path II are calculated to be 0.182(0.095) eV and 0.142(0.080) eV, respectively. The low diffusion barriers can guarantee a fast rate during charge/discharge process. Additionally, the storage capacities of F-BNNS are as high as 1244 and 597 mAh g−1 for LIBs and SIBs, which is much higher than that of graphite electrodes (372 mAh g−1). Overall, F-BNNS has promising alternative for an electrode material of LIBs and SIBs in future.

Research on the recycling of waste lithium battery electrode materials using ammonium sulfate roasting

Owing to resource limitations, environmental pollution concerns, and the increasing global demand for lithium-ion battery raw materials, the recycling of discarded electrode materials from lithium-ion batteries has emerged as a prominent research area. Nevertheless, among various types of discarded lithium battery electrode materials, limited research has been conducted on the recycling of ternary electrode materials (LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2). This study proposes an eco-friendly process for the efficient recovery of valuable metals and carbon from mixed materials of discarded ternary lithium-ion battery electrodes. This study investigated the influence of various roasting using ammonium sulfate and leaching conditions on the conversion and extraction rates of valuable metals. Under the condition of a 3:1 mass ratio of ammonium sulfate to lithium battery electrode mixed material, roasting temperature of 450 °C, roasting time of 30 min, liquid-solid ratio of 20:1, leaching time of 20 min, and leaching temperature of 60 °C, the recovery rates of various valuable metals including Li, Ni, Co, and Mn reached 99.99%. For the above process, the chemical control reaction prevailed in the initial 10 min of the roasting reaction, succeeded by the dominance of diffusion control reaction in the subsequent 20 min. In the leaching process, the chemical control reaction governed the first 2 min, succeeded by diffusion control reaction for the next 18 min. Analysis of the reaction's macroscopic and microscopic mechanisms reveals that ammonium sulfate roasting of waste ternary lithium-ion batteries constitutes a typical liquid-solid reaction. In the molten state, NH4+ decomposition releases high-energy H+ ions that break the bonds between metals and oxygen. Consequently, metal atoms from the waste battery's crystal structure combine with ammonium sulfate's sulfate groups, forming various metal sulfates. This paper establishes an eco-friendly process for the efficient recovery of valuable metals by employing the ammonium sulfate roasting method to convert valuable metals in discarded electrode mixed materials into water-soluble sulfates.

Improved cycle stability and high-rate capability of LiNbO3-coated Li3VO4 as anode material for lithium-ion battery

Lithium vanadate (Li3VO4) has garnered considerable attention as an alternative negative electrode material for non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries due to its high capacity, energy efficiency, and stable discharge voltage. Nonetheless, the Li3VO4 material displays a low rate capability, attributed mainly to its poor intrinsic electronic conductivity. Here, we report the synthesis of lithium niobate LiNbO3-coated Li3VO4 (LVO@LNO) using a one-pot sol-gel method. The resulting LVO@LNO demonstrates a high reversible capacity of approximately 530 mAh/g, which is more than double that of free Li3VO4. To explore the effect of the LNO coating process on the morphological and structural properties, Raman, XRD, operando XRD, XPS, SEM and HTEM analyses were conducted. To explain the enhancement of electronic conductivity in our modified material after a LiNbO3 coating, we conducted an Ex-Situ electrochemical impedance (EIS) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational study. Additionally, we designed a full cell utilizing a 1 wt% LNO-coated LVO anode and NMC-811 cathode. The cell yielded an output voltage of approximately 2.8 V with a high initial specific capacity of 350 mAh/g versus to the anode, at 1C with a capacity retention of 85 % after 100 cycles.