Biosilica from sea water diatoms algae—electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study

Abstract

Here, we report on an electrochemical impedance study of silica of organic origin as an active electrode material. The electrode material obtained from carbonized marine biomass containing nanoporous diatoms has been characterised by means of XRD, IR, SEM and EIS. Different kinds of crystallographic phases of silica as a result of thermal treatment have been found. The electrode is electrochemically stable during subsequent cyclic voltammetry measurements taken in the potential range from 0.005 up to 3.0 V vs. Li/Li + . The material has been found to exhibit high charge capacitance of 521 mAh g −1 being cycled at a rate C/20 with capacity retention of about 97%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy performed at an equilibrated potential E = 0.1 V in the temperature range 288-294 K discloses low charge transfer resistivity and low diffusional impedance.

Diatoms Biomass as a Joint Source of Biosilica and Carbon for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

“…Here our aim is to take advantage of these species and use them as a precursor of sp 2 carbon-an electron conductor. In our previous works [20,[29][30][31] we have shown that biosilica is electroactive and stable during lithiation. All tests clearly show that diatoms frustules possess potential for practical use in LiBs [32].…”

Silica from diatom frustules as anode material for Li-ion batteries

“…The capacities demonstrated here are higher than previously shown with silica derived from seawater diatom algae, where stable cycling at 523 mA h g À1 was demonstrated over 20 cycles (30 wt% carbon black in the electrodes), and 500 mA h g À1 aer 80 cycles. [38][39][40] For a fair comparison of the electrodes, in Fig. 3(b), the total contribution of the carbon coating (pyrolyzed sucrose) and carbon black was subtracted from the capacity and specic capacity was normalized to the mass of SiO 2 in the electrodes.…”

“…36,37 One research group has previously reported the use of diatom frustules as active material in Li-ion batteries. [38][39][40] Here, the diatom frustules were used in combination with red algae as anode material. Half-cells were tested with a capacity of 500 mA h g À1 aer 80 cycles.…”

Insights on the Degradation Behavior of Diatom SiO2 Anodes for Lithium-ion Batteries

“…As reported in Lisowska et al 33 , SiO 2 /C composite anodes obtained through pyrolysis of red algae covered by diatoms achieved capacities of 500 mA h g −1 over 80 cycles at a capacity retention of 94%. Nowak et al 34 achieved capacities of 521 mA h g −1 with a capacity retention of 97% through coating of the diatoms using the native organic matter to obtain a crystalline SiO 2 /C composite. Nowak et al 35 later showed that anodes containing a mixture of diatom biosilica and carbon black in a 1:1 ratio display a specific capacity of 400 mA h g −1 over 90 cycles.…”