Electrochemical Analysis of Conductive Polymer-Coated LiFePO4 Nanocrystalline Cathodes with Controlled Morphology

One-Pot Synthesis of LiFePO4/N-Doped C Composite Cathodes for Li-ion Batteries

LiFePO4/N-doped C composites with core-shell structures were synthesized by a convenient solvothermal method. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and glucose were used as nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. The growth of LiFePO4 nanocrystals was regulated by CTAB, resulting in an average particle size of 143 nm for the LiFePO4/N-doped C. The N atoms existed in the carbon of LiFePO4/N-doped C in the form of pyridinic N and graphitic N. The LiFePO4/N-doped C composites delivered discharge specific capacities of 160.7 mAh·g-1 (0.1 C), 128.4 mAh·g-1 (5 C), and 115.8 mAh·g-1 (10 C). Meanwhile, no capacity attenuation was found after 100 electrochemical cycles at 1 C. N-doping enhanced the capacity performance of the LiFePO4/C cathode, while the core-shell structure enhanced the cycle performance of the cathode. The electrochemical test data showed a synergistic effect between N-doping and core-shell structure on the enhancement of the electrochemical performance of the LiFePO4/C cathode.

Variation of carbon coatings on the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 cathodes for lithium ionic batteries

Asphalt-derived and glucose-derived carbon proved to be soft carbon-coating (SCC) and hard carbon-coating (HCC), and it was found that LFP/SCC showed a superior performance in capacity and rate capability than that of LFP/HCC.

Development of a novel carbon-coating strategy for producing core–shell structured carbon coated LiFePO4 for an improved Li-ion battery performance

A unique process for producing core–shell structured carbon coated LiFePO₄ has successfully developed.

An Electrochemical Cell for Selective Lithium Capture from Seawater

Lithium (Li) is a core element of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Recent developments in mobile electronics such as smartphones and tablet PCs as well as advent of large-scale LIB applications including electrical vehicles and grid-level energy storage systems have led to an increase in demand for LIBs, giving rise to a concern on the availability and market price of Li resources. However, the current Lime-Soda process that is responsible for greater than 80% of worldwide Li resource supply is applicable only in certain regions on earth where the Li concentrations are sufficiently high (salt lakes or salt pans). Moreover, not only is the process time-consuming (12-18 months), but post-treatments are also required for the purification of Li. Here, we have devised a location-independent electrochemical system for Li capture, which can operate within a short time period (a few hours to days). By engaging olivine LiFePO4 active electrode that improves interfacial properties via polydopamine coating, the electrochemical cell achieves 4330 times amplification in Li/Na ion selectivity (Li/Na molar ratio of initial solution = 0.01 and Li/Na molar ratio of final electrode = 43.3). In addition, the electrochemical system engages an I(-)/I3(-) redox couple in the other electrode for balancing of the redox states on both electrode sides and sustainable operations of the entire cell. Based on the electrochemical results, key material and interfacial properties that affect the selectivity in Li capture are identified.

Conducting polymers and their inorganic composites for advanced Li-ion batteries: a review

Conducting polymers are promising materials for organic–inorganic composites in lithium-ion batteries due to electrical conductivity and high coulombic efficiency, and are able to be cycled hundreds or thousands of times with only small degradation.

Multifunctional semi-interpenetrating polymer network-nanoencapsulated cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

As a promising power source to boost up advent of next-generation ubiquitous era, high-energy density lithium-ion batteries with reliable electrochemical properties are urgently requested. Development of the advanced lithium ion-batteries, however, is staggering with thorny problems of performance deterioration and safety failures. This formidable challenge is highly concerned with electrochemical/thermal instability at electrode material-liquid electrolyte interface, in addition to structural/chemical deficiency of major cell components. Herein, as a new concept of surface engineering to address the abovementioned interfacial issue, multifunctional conformal nanoencapsulating layer based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) is presented. This unusual semi-IPN nanoencapsulating layer is composed of thermally-cured polyimide (PI) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) bearing Lewis basic site. Owing to the combined effects of morphological uniqueness and chemical functionality (scavenging hydrofluoric acid that poses as a critical threat to trigger unwanted side reactions), the PI/PVP semi-IPN nanoencapsulated-cathode materials enable significant improvement in electrochemical performance and thermal stability of lithium-ion batteries.