Search

Transitioning to more ambitious electrode formulations facilitates developing high-energy density cells, potentially fulfilling the demands of electric car manufacturers. In this context, the partial replacement of the prevailing anode active material in lithium-ion cells, graphite, with silicon-based materials enhances its capacity. Nevertheless, this requires adapting the rest of the components and harmonizing the electrode integration in the cell to enhance the performance of the resulting high-capacity anodes. Herein, starting from a replacement in the standard graphite anode recipe with 22% silicon suboxide at laboratory scale, the weight fraction of the electrochemically inactive materials was optimized to 2% carbon black/1% dispersant/3% binder combination before deriving an advantage from including single-wall carbon nanotubes in the formulation. In the second part, the recipe was upscaled to a semi-industrial electrode coating and cell assembly line. Then, 1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells were filled and tested with different commercial electrolytes, aiming at studying the dependency of the Si-based electrodes on the additives included in the composition. Among all the electrolytes employed, the EL2 excelled in terms of capacity retention, obtaining a 48% increase in the number of cycles compared to the baseline electrolyte formulation above the threshold capacity retention value (80% state of health). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is a promising candidate as a lithium-ion battery cathode material to fulfill the high-energy density demands of the electric vehicle industry. In this work, the design of the experiment's methodology has been used to analyze the influence of the ratio of the different components in the electrode preparation feasibility of laboratory-scale coatings and their electrochemical response. Different outputs were defined to evaluate the formulations studied, and Derringer–Suich's methodology was applied to obtain an equation that is usable to predict the desirability of the electrodes depending on the selected formulation. Afterward, Solver's method was used to figure out the formulation that provides the highest desirability. This formulation was validated at a laboratory scale and upscaled to a semi-industrial coating line. High-voltage 1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells were assembled with LNMO cathodes and graphite-based anodes and subjected to rate-capability tests and galvanostatic cycling. 1 C was determined as the highest C-rate usable with these cells, and 321 and 181 cycles above 80% SOH were obtained in galvanostatic cycling tests performed at 0.5 C and 1 C, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that the LNMO cathode required an activation period to become fully electrochemically active, which was shorter when cycled at a lower C-rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel-rich LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) is one of the most promising Li-ion battery cathode materials and has attracted the interest of the automotive industry. Nevertheless, storage conditions can affect its properties and performance. In this work, both NMC811 powder and electrodes were storage-aged for one year under room conditions. The aged powder was used to prepare electrodes, and the performance of these two aged samples was compared with reference fresh NMC811 electrodes in full Li-ion coin cells using graphite as a negative electrode. The cells were subjected to electrochemical as well as ante- and postmortem characterization. The performance of the electrodes from aged NM811 was beyond expectations: the cycling performance was high, and the power capability was the highest among the samples analyzed. Materials characterization revealed modifications in the crystal structure and the surface layer of the NMC811 during the storage and electrode processing steps. Differences between aged and fresh electrodes were explained by the formation of a resistive layer at the surface of the former. However, the ageing of NMC811 powder was significantly mitigated during the electrode processing step. These novel results are of interest to cell manufacturers for the widespread implementation of NMC811 as a state-of-the-art cathode material in Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of two types of bulky cations, tetrabutylammonium (TBA+) and Cs+, as electrolyte additives in Na‐O2 batteries is investigated. These cations facilitate the stabilization of sodium superoxide in the electrolyte, promoting the solution‐mediated pathway. Both the addition of TBA+ and Cs+ favor the growth of larger NaO2 cubes than in the case of the electrolyte containing only sodium salt, particularly in the case of Cs+. In terms of full discharge capacity, both additives lead to an increase in the discharge capacity, which is greater in Cs+ (50% enhancement). TBA+ also provides an improved stabilization of superoxide; nevertheless, the interaction is not as strong as in the case of Cs+ due to the steric hindrance set by the alkyl groups. The presence of these additives not only affects the NaO2 formation mechanism, but also influences the nature of the solid electrolyte interphase. The presence of Cs+ generates a more stable solid‐electrolyte interphase, which increases the cycle life of Na‐O2 batteries. Overall, new insights are provided to control the growth of the discharge products, modify the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism, and protect the Na metal anode surface by adding bulky monovalent cations in the electrolyte formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increase in global energy demand and the unsustainability of burning fossil fuels, the search for optimized energy systems has become a priority in recent years. In 1990, lithium batteries revolutionized the energy market; however, the unceasing increase in demand and the limited lithium supplies induce the need for alternative energy storage systems. Li–O2 batteries are promising to make a difference in applications such as those related to electromobility. In the last few years the interest in metal–air batteries has increased exponentially; however, several challenges must be overcome to improve their efficiency. For this system to be viable, it is necessary to solve key problems such as the high polarization of the charge reaction. To overcome this limitation, facilitate the oxidation of the Li2O2 discharge product, and increase the efficiency of these batteries, the use of redox mediators has been widely investigated. In the present work, the mediators reported in the Li–O2 literature are classified into four groups according to their charge state in both their reduced and oxidized forms and their performance is discussed. Finally, a summary of the redox mediators used in analogous Na–O2 batteries is presented. This work provides a clear view about the use of redox mediators as a powerful strategy for the commercialization of these metal–O2 batteries, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of this type of homogenous catalyst, and suggesting future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new route to enhance the performance of Na–O2 cells is demonstrated. Redox mediators (such as ethyl viologen) are shown to facilitate the discharge reaction, producing an increased capacity (due to suppressed electrode passivation), higher discharge potential (due to faster kinetics) and stable cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Gaining insight into the reaction mechanisms underway during charge and discharge in Li–air batteries is essential to allow the target development of improved power and performance devices. This work reports the in situ monitoring of Li–air cells by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and, for the first time, the development of an electrochemical model allowing the identification and attribution of the processes involved. The voltage at which each reaction product forms has been identified, including Li2O2 or Li2CO3 during discharge, together with the delithiation of the outer part of Li2O2 and oxidation reactions and electrolyte decomposition. The developed model can be used as a valuable tool for the optimisation of composition and structure of the air electrode through the investigation of the resistance associated with each process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new route to enhance the performance of Na-O 2 cells is demonstrated. Redox mediators (such as ethyl viologen) are shown to facilitate the discharge reaction, producing an increased capacity (due to suppressed electrode passivation), higher discharge potential (due to faster kinetics) and stable cycling.