New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "C:Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 8102

Special Issue Editor

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
Interests: electrochemistry; metal–air batteries; alkali metal anode; potassium secondary batteries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Traditional lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology possesses the “rocking-chair” flow of lithium ions between electrodes, and LIB cathode materials rely on the redox of transition metal ions (e.g., Fe3+/Fe2+ in LiFePO4). Despite being characteristic of superb reversibility and round-trip efficiencies, the further development of LIBs is limited by the inherent energy density and high cost. Therefore, it is urgent to develop disruptive energy systems with higher specific energies and lower costs. Researchers worldwide have been carrying out extensive work and developing a series of promising battery prototypes. One example is the use of lightweight oxygen as the cathode to establish the metal–oxygen battery system, which has two attractive advantages over LIBs: higher cathode capacities and an inexhaustible supply of oxygen from the air. Of course, researchers must overcome many significant challenges to fully utilize the potential of “proof-of-concept” LIB alternatives: battery safety is always a huge hurdle before practical applications, and the tradeoffs between the lifespan and achievable specific energy are often overwhelming. Accordingly, this Special Issue seeks to showcase research papers, short communications, and review articles that focus on the latest developments in new materials and approaches for the anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes of various emerging battery technologies.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Dr. Lei Qin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Functional nanostructured materials
  • Surfaces, interfaces, and applications
  • Energy and catalysis applications
  • Beyond lithium-ion batteries
  • New materials and approaches

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 603 KiB  
Article
Improved Parameter Identification for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Complex-Order Beetle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
by Xiaohua Zhang, Haolin Li, Wenfeng Zhang, António M. Lopes, Xiaobo Wu and Liping Chen
Micromachines 2023, 14(2), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14020413 - 09 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1031
Abstract
With the aim of increasing the model accuracy of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), this paper presents a complex-order beetle swarm optimization (CBSO) method, which employs complex-order (CO) operator concepts and mutation into the traditional beetle swarm optimization (BSO). Firstly, a fractional-order equivalent circuit model [...] Read more.
With the aim of increasing the model accuracy of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), this paper presents a complex-order beetle swarm optimization (CBSO) method, which employs complex-order (CO) operator concepts and mutation into the traditional beetle swarm optimization (BSO). Firstly, a fractional-order equivalent circuit model of LIBs is established based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Secondly, the CBSO is used for model parameters’ identification, and the model accuracy is verified by simulation experiments. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) and maximum absolute error (MAE) optimization metrics show that the model accuracy with CBSO is superior when compared with the fractional-order BSO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond)
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12 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of TiO2 Nanobelt Bundles Decorated with TiO2 Nanoparticles and Aggregates and Their Use as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Wenpo Luo, Juliette Blanchard, Domenica Tonelli and Abdelhafed Taleb
Micromachines 2023, 14(2), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14020243 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1112
Abstract
TiO2 nanobelt bundles decorated with TiO2 aggregates were prepared using an easy and scalable hydrothermal method at various temperatures (170, 190, 210, and 230 °C). It was demonstrated that the synthesis temperature is a key parameter to tune the number of [...] Read more.
TiO2 nanobelt bundles decorated with TiO2 aggregates were prepared using an easy and scalable hydrothermal method at various temperatures (170, 190, 210, and 230 °C). It was demonstrated that the synthesis temperature is a key parameter to tune the number of aggregates on the nanobelt surface. Prepared TiO2 aggregates and nanobelt bundles were used to design anode materials in which the aggregates regulated the pore size and connectivity of the interconnected nanobelt bundle structure. A galvanostatic technique was employed for the electrochemical characterization of TiO2 samples. Using TiO2 as a model material due to its small volume change during the cycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the relationship between the morphology of the anode materials and the capacity retention of the LIBs on cycling is discussed. It was clearly found that the size and connectivity of the pores and the specific surface area had a striking impact on the Li insertion behavior, lithium storage capability, and cycling performance of the batteries. The initial irreversible capacity was shown to increase as the specific surface area increased. As the pore size increased, the ability of the mesoporous anatase to release strain was stronger, resulting in better cycling stability. The TiO2 powder prepared at a temperature of 230 °C displayed the highest discharge and charge capacities (203.3 mAh/g and 140.8 mAh/g) and good cycling stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond)
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12 pages, 1811 KiB  
Article
Increasing the Performance of {[(1-x-y) LiCo0.3Cu0.7] (Al and Mg doped)] O2}, xLi2MnO3, yLiCoO2 Composites as Cathode Material in Lithium-Ion Battery: Synthesis and Characterization
by Sara Shahriari, Fatemeh Mollaamin and Majid Monajjemi
Micromachines 2023, 14(2), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14020241 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1142
Abstract
Twenty-eight samples of {[(1-x-y) LiCo0.3Cu0.7](Al and Mg doped)]O2}, xLi2MnO3, and yLiCoO2 composites were synthesized using the sol–gel method. Stoichiometric weights of LiNO3, Mn(Ac)2⋅4H2O, Co(Ac)2⋅4H [...] Read more.
Twenty-eight samples of {[(1-x-y) LiCo0.3Cu0.7](Al and Mg doped)]O2}, xLi2MnO3, and yLiCoO2 composites were synthesized using the sol–gel method. Stoichiometric weights of LiNO3, Mn(Ac)2⋅4H2O, Co(Ac)2⋅4H2O, Al(NO3)3.H2o, Mg(NO3)2⋅6H2O, and Cu(NO3)2.H2O for the preparation of these samples were applied. From this work, we confirmed the high performance of two samples, namely, Sample 18, including Al doped with structure “Li1.5Cu0.117Co0.366Al0.017Mn0.5O2” and Sample 17, including Mg doped with structure “Li1.667Cu0.1Mg0.017Co0.217Mn0.667O2”, compared with other compositions. Evidently, the used weight of cobalt in these two samples were lower compared with LiCoO2, resulting in advantages in the viewpoint of cost and toxicity problems. Charge and discharge characteristics of the mentioned cathode materials were investigated by performing cycle tests in the range of 2.2–4.5 V. These types of systems can help to reduce the disadvantages of cobalt arising from its high cost and toxic properties. Our results confirmed that the performance of such systems is similar to that of pure LiCoO2 cathode material, or greater in some cases. The biggest disadvantages of LiCoO2 are its cost and toxic properties, typically making it cost around five times more to manufacture than when using copper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond)
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12 pages, 2643 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of a Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon-Based Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries
by Faheem Ahmed, Ghazzai Almutairi, Prince M. Z. Hasan, Sarish Rehman, Shalendra Kumar, Nagih M. Shaalan, Abdullah Aljaafari, Adil Alshoaibi, Bandar AlOtaibi and Kaffayatullah Khan
Micromachines 2023, 14(1), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14010192 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2222
Abstract
Porous carbons are highly attractive and demanding materials which could be prepared using biomass waste; thus, they are promising for enhanced electrochemical capacitive performance in capacitors and cycling efficiency in Li-ion batteries. Herein, biomass (rice husk)-derived activated carbon was synthesized via a facile [...] Read more.
Porous carbons are highly attractive and demanding materials which could be prepared using biomass waste; thus, they are promising for enhanced electrochemical capacitive performance in capacitors and cycling efficiency in Li-ion batteries. Herein, biomass (rice husk)-derived activated carbon was synthesized via a facile chemical route and used as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. Various characterization techniques were used to study the structural and morphological properties of the prepared activated carbon. The prepared activated carbon possessed a carbon structure with a certain degree of amorphousness. The morphology of the activated carbon was of spherical shape with a particle size of ~40–90 nm. Raman studies revealed the characteristic peaks of carbon present in the prepared activated carbon. The electrochemical studies evaluated for the fabricated coin cell with the activated carbon anode showed that the cell delivered a discharge capacity of ~321 mAhg−1 at a current density of 100 mAg−1 for the first cycle, and maintained a capacity of ~253 mAhg−1 for 400 cycles. The capacity retention was found to be higher (~81%) with 92.3% coulombic efficiency even after 400 cycles, which showed excellent cyclic reversibility and stability compared to commercial activated carbon. These results allow the waste biomass-derived anode to overcome the problem of cyclic stability and capacity performance. This study provides an insight for the fabrication of anodes from the rice husk which can be redirected into creating valuable renewable energy storage devices in the future, and the product could be a socially and ethically acceptable product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond)
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14 pages, 2968 KiB  
Article
A Study on High-Rate Performance of Graphite Nanostructures Produced by Ball Milling as Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Vahide Ghanooni Ahmadabadi, Md Mokhlesur Rahman and Ying Chen
Micromachines 2023, 14(1), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14010191 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2050
Abstract
Graphite, with appealing features such as good stability, high electrical conductivity, and natural abundance, is still the main commercial anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The charge-discharge rate capability of graphite anodes is not significant for the development of mobile devices and electric vehicles. [...] Read more.
Graphite, with appealing features such as good stability, high electrical conductivity, and natural abundance, is still the main commercial anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The charge-discharge rate capability of graphite anodes is not significant for the development of mobile devices and electric vehicles. Therefore, the feasibility investigation of the rate capability enhancement of graphite by manipulating the structure is worthwhile and of interest. In this study, an effective ball-milling process has been set up by which graphite nanostructures with a high surface area are produced. An in-depth investigation into the effect of ball milling on graphite structure as well as electrochemical performance, particularly rate capability, is conducted. Here, we report that graphite nanoflakes with 350 m2 g−1 surface area deliver retained capacity of ~75 mAh g−1 at 10 C (1 C = 372 mA g−1). Finally, the Li+ surface-storage mechanism is recognised by associating the structural characteristics with electrochemical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Materials and Approaches for Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond)
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