Performance Of Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Revealing the impact of CO2 exposure during calcination on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2.

The synthesis atmosphere plays a fundamental role in determining the physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance of NMC811 cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. This study investigates the effect of carbonate impurities generated during synthesis by comparing three distinct samples: NMC811 calcined in ambient air, NMC811 calcined in synthetic air to mitigate carbonate formation, and NMC811 initially calcined in ambient air followed by annealing in synthetic air to eliminate carbonate species. Physicochemical characterization through XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA techniques revealed noticeable differences in the structural and chemical properties among the samples. Electrochemical assessments conducted via coin-cell testing demonstrate superior performance for materials synthesized in synthetic air, exhibiting an enhanced discharge capacity of 145.4 ± 4.8 mA h g-1 compared to materials synthesized in normal air (109.4 ± 4.3 mA h g-1) at C/10. More importantly, sample annealing in synthetic air after air calcination partially recovers the electrochemical performance of the cathode (142.1 ± 4.6 mA h g-1 at C/10) and this is related to the elimination of carbonate species from the ceramic powder. These findings highlight the importance of controlling synthesis conditions, particularly the atmosphere, to tailor the properties of NMC811 cathode materials for optimal lithium-ion battery performance.

Half‐Heusler Alloy CoMnZ (Z = Sb/Sn): Electrode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

ABSTRACTHeusler alloys (HAs) are a well‐known family of compounds generating promising interest due to their robust structure, ease of tailoring their unique properties, and potential applications. The investigations in the direction of the electrochemical performance of these materials as electrodes for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been established theoretically and experimentally. Alloying of alkali metal ions into half‐HAs unit cells can be another route to improve LIBs performance. This work presents our investigations on thermodynamically stable half‐HAs CoMnZ (Z: Sb/Sn) as electrode materials for rechargeable LIBs using the first‐principle calculations based on the density functional theory. The negative formation energies validate the thermodynamic stability of the alloys considered in this study. With increasing Li doping, a structural change from cubic to tetragonal and orthorhombic phase is observed in the host structure, and upon full lithiation (LiMnZ), a cubic structure is attained. The band structure calculations of the host structure and its lithiated phase indicate a metallic nature in these alloys. The calculations are also performed to investigate the structural stability of parent alloys and corresponding lithiated phases. We calculated a storage capacity of around 14.5 Ah/kg for 0.125 atomic fraction of Li atoms, which is increased by nearly 10 times upon full lithiation. A maximum open circuit voltage of around 9.8 V is calculated for Li0.125Co0.875MnSb and CoLi0.125Mn0.875Sb. Thus, all these remarkable results suggest that these intermetallic compounds have a strong potential as the cathode material for LIBs with a robust life and a large capacity.

Polypyrrole-coated triple-layer yolk-shell Fe2O3 anode materials with their superior overall performance in lithium-ion batteries

Polypyrrole-coated triple-layer yolk-shell Fe2O3 anode materials with their superior overall performance in lithium-ion batteries

Innovations in Energy Through Nanomaterials Enhancing Solid-State Battery Safety and Efficacy

This paper explores the potential of Si-based nanomaterials to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). Traditional graphite anodes limit the energy density and range of EVs, increasing the need to search for alternative materials like silicon, which offers a much higher theoretical specific capacity. However, silicon’s application has been challenged by significant volume changes during cycling, leading to mechanical stress and failure. The use of nanotechnology, especially silicon nanomaterials, offers promising solutions to these challenges. Silicon nanostructures, such as nanowires, exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, allowing them to withstand volumetric changes and maintain high capacity during cycling. This review delves into the chemo-physical properties of silicon, the challenges posed by silicon anodes (SAs), and the recent advancements in silicon nanomaterials. Additionally, it also discusses different approaches to enhancing the performance of Si-based anodes, as well as the difficulties that exist now and the directions that future research in this exciting area is headed.

Improving Energy Density in Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Nanomaterials

Lithium-ion batteries are pivotal in modern energy storage, powering everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. Despite their advantages, current materials limit their energy density, particularly for electric vehicles. This paper explores the potential of nanomaterials to enhance lithium-ion battery performance, focusing on anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes. The study discusses the limitations of traditional graphite anodes and highlights nanostructured silicon and metal oxides as alternatives to significantly increase capacity and reduce volume expansion. For cathodes, it examines how nanomaterials like S-TiO2 yolk-shell structures and high-voltage cathode materials can improve energy density and stability. The role of nanostructured solid electrolytes in enhancing ionic conductivity and overall battery performance is also analyzed. The paper addresses the challenges of using nanomaterials, such as higher costs and the need for scalable production methods. It suggests future research directions, including optimizing nanostructures and developing cost-effective manufacturing processes. The findings underscore the potential of nanotechnology to overcome current limitations and significantly boost the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.

Fluorine-Doping Carbon-Modified Si/SiOx to Effectively Achieve High-Performance Anode.

To address the significant challenges encountered by silicon-based anodes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), including poor cycling stability, low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), and insufficient interface compatibility, this work innovatively prepares high-performance Si/SiOx@F-C composites via in situ coating fluorine-doping carbon layer on Si/SiOx surface through high-temperature pyrolysis. The Si/SiOx@F-C electrodes exhibit superior LIB performance with a high ICE of 79%, exceeding the 71% and 43% demonstrated by Si/SiOx@C and Si/SiOx, respectively. These electrodes also show excellent rate performance, maintaining a capacity of 603 mAhg-1 even under a high current density of 5000 mAg-1. Notably, the Si/SiOx@F-C electrode sustains a high reversible capacity of 829 mAh g-1 at 1000mA g-1 over 1400 cycles, and 588 mAhg-1 at 3000 mAg-1 even over 2400 cycles, capacity retention of up to 82.12%. Comprehensive characterization and analysis of the fluorine-doped carbon layer reveal its role in enhancing electrical conductivity and preventing structural degradation of the material. The abundant fluorine in the coating layer significantly increases the LiF concentration in the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film, improving interfacial compatibility and overall lithium storage performance. This method is both straightforward and effective, providing a promising blueprint for the broader application of Si-based anodes in advanced lithium batteries.

Elucidating the Chemical Pre-Lithiation Mechanism of Hard Carbon Anodes for Ultra-high Stability Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The hard carbon (HC) anode materials demonstrate high capacity and excellent rate performance in lithium-ion batteries. However, HC anodes suffer from excessive loss of Li+ ions during the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, leading to poor cycling stability, which hinders their large-scale applications. Herein, a facile pre-lithiation strategy is proposed to achieve multi-functional precompensation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) anodes. Both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculation results revealed that the strategy compensated for the loss of Li+ ions and reacted with four structures of CNFs during pre-lithiation, including tiny graphite domains, CO-containing functional groups, defects, and micropores. Furthermore, the lithium in pre-lithiated carbon nanofibers (pCNFs) existed in various forms, consisting of LiC24 and LiC18, Li─O─C, quasi-metallic lithium, and Li+ ions. Moreover, the uniformly distributed lithium on the surface of pCNFs induced the formation of denser and more robust LiF/Li2CO3-rich SEI film, which promoted Li+ ions transport. As a result, pCNFs showed more stable cycling performance (369.8mAhg-1, almost no decay for 1500 cycles). This work provides deeper insight into chemical pre-lithiation and offers a simple and mild strategy for highly stable batteries.

The Fabrication of ZIF-L Derived Zns/Mos2@NC Anode Materials for Remarkable Lithium-Ion Storage.

The enhancement of electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries can be achieved through the incorporation of MoS2 with carbon materials and various metal sulfides. In this study, a ZnS/MoS2 heterostructure was developed, featuring a two-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet (NC) backbone. The synthesis of ZnMoZIF-L precursors was accomplished by introducing a Mo source in a 1 : 1 molar ratio during the ZIF-L synthesis process. Following high-temperature carbonization and vulcanization treatment, ZnS/MoS2@NC composite materials were successfully synthesized. Compared to the unvulcanized ZnO/MoO3@NC and MoS2 samples, the ZnS/MoS2@NC composite exhibits remarkable lithium storage performance. At a current density of 500 mA g-1, the initial reversible capacity capacity is still as high as 1674 mAh g-1. Furthermore, this composite material demonstrates optimal rate capabilities and a significant contribution to pseudocapacitance. The nitrogen-doped carbon framework effectively mitigates volume changes, while the heterostructural design provides more active sites for lithium-ions, thereby enhancing lithium storage performance.

Recycled graphite enabled superior performance for lithium ion batteries

Recycling graphite attracts growing attention since cumulative amount of spent Li-ion batteries and the shortage of graphite supply chain. Although various recycling methods have been reported, the recycled graphite cannot reach the strict commercial standards of purity, scalability, efficiency, and capacity, preventing it from battery manufacturing. Herein, the important roles of defects and functional groups on the graphite surface are deeply studied, and a closed-loop graphite recycling process with the surface recovery and modification for the graphite from the end-of-life batteries is demonstrated. The recovered graphite delivers a purity of over 99.9 % and an average initial coulombic efficiency of 91.5 %. Compared with commercial graphite in industrial standard battery testing parameters, full cells with recovered graphite possess enhanced rate reversibility, doubled cycle life, over 10 % higher capacity along with half anode material cost. These impressive results not only underscore the transformative potential of surface reconstruction and modification in graphite recycling, but also present economic feasibility and sustainable pathway for significantly improving battery performance and addressing global resource challenges via integration with the hydrometallurgical recycling process.

Polymer electrolytes based on PEO and lithium tetraalkoxyborate salts with ionic liquid properties for lithium-based batteries

The development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with improved safety features is crucial due to the inherent risks associated with liquid electrolytes, such as fires, explosions, and leakage. This study explores the potential of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and lithium tetraalkoxyborate salts (LiTAB) with ionic liquid properties as a safer alternative. Ionic liquids (ILs) are examined for their high ionic conductivity, wide electrochemical window, and excellent thermal stability, despite their high synthesis costs and viscosity challenges. The study proposes the use of a novel LiTAB salt with an oligomeric star-shaped anion structure that reduces mobility, enhancing lithium ion transference numbers. This IL serves as both a lithium salt and an active plasticizer in PEO-based SPEs, offering potential for 3D printing applications. Experimental results demonstrate that these electrolytes exhibit favorable rheological properties, high ionic conductivities, and significant lithium ion transference numbers, addressing the key limitations of conventional PEO-based electrolytes. The findings suggest that incorporating these LiTAB salts in SPEs could significantly enhance the safety and performance of LIBs, particularly for applications in miniaturized consumer electronics and electronic implants.

Design and synthesis of FeS2/graphite sandwich structure with enhanced lithium-storage performance for lithium-ion and solid-state lithium batteries

As a conversion-type cathode material, FeS2 emerges as a promising candidate for the next generation of energy storage solutions, attributed to its cost-effectiveness, environment-friendliness and high theoretical capacity. However, several challenges hinder its practical application, including sluggish kinetics, insulating reaction products and significant volume fluctuation during cycling, which collectively compromise its rate capability and cycle stability. Herein, a well-designed sandwich structure of FeS2 embedded between graphite layers (FeS2/C) is obtained using a chloride intercalation and sulfidation strategy. The layered graphite-FeS2-graphite configuration boosts the active sites and adsorption capacity of Li+, thereby guaranteeing a high reversible capacity. Furthermore, the graphitic carbon matrix serves a dual purpose: it enhances electronic conductivity and restrain the volume fluctuation of FeS2 during long cycling. This combination ensures robust electrochemical kinetics, structural integrity and long life. Consequently, the FeS2/C composites exhibit exceptional lithium storage performance, achieving capacities of 506.2 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A/g and 277.2 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A/g. Additionally, the FeS2/C composites show promising potential as cathodes for all solid-state lithium batteries, showcasing high specific capacities of 658.0 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A/g for the second cycle and maintaining a cycle performance of 288.5 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles at 0.5 A/g. These values surpass the second discharge specific capacity of 96.1 mAh g−1 and cycle capacity of 25.3 mAh g−1 observed for Fe2O3/C composites. The discharge mechanism of FeS2/C composites was further characterized through in-situ transmission electron microscope test. This work provides valuable insights for designing and synthesizing FeS2, highlighting its potential for lithium ion storage and all solid-state lithium batteries.

Cu2SnS3/rGO nanocomposites with optimized pore structure for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Developing advanced anode materials is essential for enhancing the rate performance and stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which is critical for meeting the demands for next-generation energy storage solutions. In this research, Cu2SnS3/rGO nanocomposites were synthesized via a rapid microwave-assisted one-step method, followed by post-synthetic annealing. The incorporation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) not only significantly improves its electrical conductivity, but also effectively inhibits the agglomeration of CTS nanoparticles. The nanocrystal size in the CTS/rGO nanocomposites has been dramatically downsized, transitioning from the pristine CTS dimensions of 0.9–1.5 μm to a mere 100 nm. This downsizing is a critical advancement in the electrode, as it enhances the surface area and reactivity of the composite. The subsequent high-temperature annealing process shrinks the pore size in the CTS/rGO nanocomposite, decreasing from an average of 42.13 nm to a more confined range of 7.81 to 8.77 nm, depending on the annealing temperatures. Electrochemical testing reveals that the CTS/rGO-A nanocomposite annealed at 300 °C exhibits superior electrochemical performance to the unmodified CTS and non-annealed CTS/rGO composite. The performance is evidenced by an initial capacity of 1856.97 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and retains a capacity of 1250.32 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing the lithium ion diffusion kinetics, capacitance and diffusion behavior of the CTS/rGO-A electrode, advanced techniques such as galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and rate cyclic voltammetry (CV) were utilized. These analyses revealed that the synergistic effect of an increased Li+ diffusion coefficient (DLi+), coupled with a notable capacitive contribution, is demonstrated to the enhanced electrochemical performance observed. Furthermore, the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation also indicates improved structural stability of CTS/rGO-A, attributed to minimized stress from volume expansion during discharge. The CTS/rGO-A nanocomposites, featuring enhanced electrochemical performance, coupled with a straightforward and efficient fabrication method, emerge as a promising material for scalable and practical energy storage solutions.

A Hybrid Modelling Approach Coupling Physics-based Simulation and Deep Learning for Battery Electrode Manufacturing Simulations

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance is significantly influenced by its manufacturing process. Manufacturing of an optimized electrode can incur high production costs such as high energy consumption, high scrap rates and emissions. This is due to the process that consists of a series of manufacturing steps presenting a complex interrelationship, thus limiting the understanding of performance as a function of manufacturing parameters. While several empirical and computational methods are employed for optimization, they are demanding in terms of resources such as materials or computational effort. By leveraging Deep Learning (DL), we can enhance our understanding of the complex manufacturing processes and accelerate its optimization. We propose a data-driven supervised DL methodology to complement physics-based LIB cathode manufacturing simulations. The trained DL-based predictive model integrates well into the manufacturing simulation framework to forecast cathode slurry microstructures. The DL model demonstrates robust predictive performance for LIB NMC-111 and LiFePO4–based slurries and slurries for a solid-state battery NMC-622/argyrodite composite electrode preparation. While the current work is focused on the cathode slurry process, the proposed methodology has potential for application to drying and calendering steps. This approach will be helpful in streamlining lab-scale electrode manufacturing, and reducing errors, waste and resource consumption.

Exploring the potential of MXene nanohybrids as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are an integral part of modern life, powering diverse applications from transportable devices to electric vehicles. Efficacy of LIBs depends on the performance of their components with anode material playing the pivotal role. Traditional graphite anodes have limitations in capacity and rate capability. This review comprehensively discusses utilization of MXene-based composites as anode materials in LIBs. MXene composites exhibit versatile lithium storage mechanisms, involving intercalation and/or conversion reactions. Pure MXenes offer advantages of high capacity and cycling stability having challenges due to limited conductivity and mechanical fragility, restricting their practical utility, thereby affecting their performance in solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs). MXene composites overcome unsystematic dispersal and accumulation issues of pure MXene. MXenes in composite form could increase LIBs performance by overcoming limitations of pure MXenes, enabling breakthroughs in energy storage. The review covers different MXene composites viz., MXene/graphene, MXene/silicon, MXene/tin, MXene/carbon, MXene/metal oxide, and MXene/conducting polymer providing a holistic overview. Their performance, cycling stability, and rate capability are discussed to cover challenges and future prospects.

Impact of tetracyanoethylene plasticizer on PEO based solid polymer electrolytes for improved ionic conductivity and solid-state lithium-ion battery performance

Poly(ethylene oxide) is a promising material for solid-state lithium batteries due to its safety, ease of processing, and compatibility with lithium. However, conventional linear PEO falls short of practical requirements due to its limited ionic conductivity, a consequence of the high crystallinity of its ethylene oxide chains. This crystallinity hinders the movement of lithium ions, limiting its performance in solid-state battery applications. In this study, we successfully prepared the plasticized solid polymer electrolytes (PSPEs) based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/tetracyanoethylene (TCE) complexed with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt and studied the effect of TCE on structural, mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties of PSPEs. The addition of tetracyanoethylene effectively disrupts the crystallinity of the PEO matrix, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The addition of TCE also enhanced the elongation-at-break of the PEO12-LiTFSI system, indicating improved flexibility. Consequently, the ionic conductivity of the SPEs increases with increasing tetracyanoethylene content, reaching a maximum of 1.14 × 10−4 S/cm at 25 °C for the electrolyte containing 30 wt% of tetracyanoethylene. Furthermore, the plasticized SPEs exhibit a wide electrochemical stability window, as determined by linear sweep voltammetry. Solid-state battery tests demonstrate a high initial discharge capacity of 143.5 mAhg−1 at 0.1C along with good cycling performance.

Multi-Step Ageing Prediction of NMC Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Temperature Characteristics

The performance of lithium-ion batteries depends strongly on their ageing state; therefore, the monitoring and the prediction of the battery state of health (SoH) is necessary for an optimized and secured functioning of battery systems. This paper evaluates and compares three artificial neural network architectures for multi-step ageing prediction of lithium-ion cells: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) and Long short-term memory (LSTM). These models use the features extracted from the cell’s temperature to predict the cell’s capacity. The features are extracted from experimental measurements of the cell’s surface temperature and selected based on Spearman correlation analysis. The prediction results were evaluated and compared considering three different percentages of the training dataset: 60%, 70%, and 80%. Training and testing data were generated experimentally based on accelerated ageing cycling tests. During these experiments, four Nickel Manganese Cobalt/Graphite (NMC) cells were cycled under a controlled temperature environment based on a dynamic current profile extracted from the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycles.

Unveiling electrochemical insights of lithium manganese oxide cathodes from manganese ore for enhanced lithium-ion battery performance

Implementing manganese-based electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) faces several challenges due to the low grade of manganese ore, which necessitates multiple purification and transformation steps before acquiring battery-grade electrode materials, increasing costs. At present, most Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) materials are synthesized using electrolytic manganese dioxide, and the development of new processes, such as hydrometallurgical processes is important for achieving a cost-effective synthesis of LMO materials. In this work, we develop a full synthesis process of LMO materials from manganese ore, through acid leaching, forming manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO4·H2O), an optimized thermal decomposition (at 900, 950 or 1000 °C) producing different Mn3O4 materials and a solid-state reaction, achieving the synthesis of LMO. The latter was used as a cathode material for LIB exhibiting a specific capacity comparable to the state-of-the-art LMO cathode with a remarkable cycling stability of 800 cycles with <20 % in capacity loss. These performances were attributed to the excellent redox reversibility of the LMO cathode, characterized by voltammetry and in operando and in situ characterization by Raman and XRD.

In-situ detection of electrolyte defects in lithium-ion batteries using ultrasonic imaging and analysis of formation patterns

The urgent necessity for enhanced cycling performance in lithium batteries is paramount for electric vehicles to attain broader economic advantages. However, prolonged usage and cycling often lead to electrolyte de-wetting within the battery, posing a significant risk to battery safety and lifespan reduction. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying electrolyte de-wetting is pivotal for the development of long-lasting batteries. This study employs an ultrasonic non-destructive testing method to investigate changes in the internal electrolyte during battery operation. Analysis of the results found that during to the relatively higher current density and temperature near the tabs, electrolyte de-wetting is more prone to occur in these areas, with defects being more severe at the positive electrode compared to the negative electrode. Finally, these issues are addressed to provide reasonable recommendations for future battery design and optimization.

Recent Research Advancements in Carbon Fiber‐Based Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Energy consumption is a critical element in human evolution, and rapid advances in science and technology necessitate adequate energy. As human society evades, the advancement of energy storage components has become critical in addressing societal challenges. Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are promising candidates for future extensive use as optimal energy storage devices. However, the current limitations of LIBs pose a challenge to their continued dominance. Researchers are constantly exploring new materials to enhance the performance of LIBs, and carbon fiber (CF) is a dominant contender in this pursuit. The high electrical conductivity of carbon‐based materials benefits the battery system by facilitating efficient electron transfer and improving overall performance. CF‐based materials provide enhanced energy storage capacity and cycling stability in LIBs. Progress in carbon‐based materials has resulted in electrodes with increased surface areas, enabling greater rates of charging and discharging. In addition, the exceptional corrosion resistance of CF ensures the durability and robustness of LIBs. A comprehensive review is carried out on the correlation between the material's structure and its electrochemical performance, with a special emphasis on the uses of pure carbon fibers, transition metal oxides, sulfides, and MXene carbon‐based transition metal compounds in LIBs.

Advances in the Application of Graphene in Lithium-ion Batteries

The search for effective energy storage options has escalated due to the rising global energy demands and environmental concerns. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) emerge as a key technology. However, the performance of traditional LIBs still needs to be improved. Therefore, choosing new nanomaterials for the modification of LIBs has become an effective solution. Graphene, as a nanomaterial, is an excellent candidate material for modification. This paper delves into the application of graphene in enhancing the performance of LIBs. Graphene, with its superior electrical conductivity and substantial specific surface area, offers the potential to enhance the performance of both anode and cathode materials in LIBs. This can lead to significant improvements in the overall cycle life, energy density, and power density of these batteries. This work emphasizes the application of graphene in cathode and anode materials. In cathode materials, the layered structure of graphene enables lithium-ion with high theoretical capacity. Meanwhile, graphene helps improve the electron and lithium ion mobility of anode materials. Despite the promising developments, challenges such as lithium loading capacity and coulombic efficiency still remain. The continued exploration of graphene applications is expected to drive LIBs to unprecedented performance metrics. This is in line with the global quest for sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies.