A Lithium-Ion Battery with Enhanced Safety Prepared using an Environmentally Friendly Process
Franziska Mueller1,2,3, Nicholas Loeffler1,2,3, Guk-Tae Kim4,5
1Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU), Helmholtzstr. 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
Chemsuschem
|May 10, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a novel lithium-ion battery using a conversion-alloying anode and a cellulose binder. Ionic liquid electrolytes enhance coulombic efficiency and safety, despite a slight reduction in rate capability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Development of advanced lithium-ion batteries is crucial for next-generation energy storage.
- Conversion-alloying anode materials offer high theoretical capacities but face challenges in stability and rate performance.
- Ionic liquid electrolytes present potential for enhanced safety and electrochemical stability in batteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a new lithium-ion battery chemistry utilizing a conversion-alloying anode and a sustainable binder.
- To compare the performance and safety of the battery system with conventional carbonate-based and ionic liquid electrolytes.
- To investigate the impact of electrolyte choice on coulombic efficiency, rate capability, and thermal stability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a lithium-ion battery cell with a carbon-coated Fe-doped ZnO (TMO-C) anode and LiNi1/3 Mn1/3 Co1/3 O2 (NMC) cathode.
- Use of an environmentally friendly cellulose-based binding agent for electrode preparation.
- Electrochemical performance testing using galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling with both carbonate-based (EC:DEC/LiPF6) and ionic liquid (Pyr14TFSI/LiTFSI) electrolytes.
Main Results:
- The full-cell exhibited reduced rate capability with the ionic liquid electrolyte compared to the organic electrolyte.
- Coulombic efficiency was significantly enhanced when using the ionic liquid electrolyte.
- The ionic liquid electrolyte demonstrated improved system safety due to higher thermal stability of the solid electrolyte interphase and the electrolyte itself, showing a manageable heat flow.
Conclusions:
- The developed lithium-ion battery chemistry shows promise for enhanced safety and efficiency, particularly with ionic liquid electrolytes.
- Ionic liquid electrolytes offer a safer alternative to conventional electrolytes, mitigating risks associated with thermal runaway.
- Further optimization is needed to improve the rate capability of the conversion-alloying anode system with ionic liquid electrolytes.
