Engineered Electrodes for Safer Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract

Dr. Vilas Pol, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University

ViPER (Vilas Pol’s Energy Research) laboratory at Purdue University focuses efforts on the development of high capacity electrode materials and their engineering with long cycle life and improved safety. Considering the advantages and limitations of known synthesis techniques, a solvent-less, single step ViP processing technology has been developed to fabricate a variety of unique anode and cathode materials for lithium-ion, Na-ion, K-ion and Li-S batteries. The technique has particular merit for producing carbon cavities and metal-carbon composites from inexpensive starch-based precursors. This presentation will reveal selective results on the novel synthesis of 3-dimensional carbon hotels that accommodate electrochemically active, high capacity Sn, Co or Si based nanoguests. Around 300% expansion and contraction during lithiation and delithiation of Co and Si anodes is eff¬ectively accommodated in the rooms of conducting carbon hotels minimizing pulverization e-ffects. With the addition of electrolyte additives in Gen 2 electrolytes, high capacity and longer cycle life from these newly developed 3D electrodes are achieved. These carbon hotel rooms are also used to accommodate in-situ formed nanosulfur guest as a cathode of Li-S batteries in the presence of fluorinated ether-based electrolytes, achieving longer cycle life with higher capacities. ViPER’s recent eff¬orts on structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of various electro-chemistries will be demonstrated.