Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Abstract

Energy storage is more important today than at any time in human history. Future generations of rechargeable lithium batteries are required to power portable electronic devices (cellphones, laptop computers etc.), store electricity from renewable sources, and as a vital component in new hybrid electric vehicles. To achieve the increase in energy and power density essential to meet the future challenges of energy storage, new materials chemistry, and especially new nanomaterials chemistry, is essential. We must find ways of synthesizing new nanomaterials with new properties or combinations of properties, for use as electrodes and electrolytes in lithium batteries. Herein we review some of the recent scientific advances in nanomaterials, and especially in nanostructured materials, for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Hollow Structured Li3VO4 Wrapped with Graphene Nanosheets in Situ Prepared by a One-Pot Template-Free Method as an Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…The estimated energy density of lithium ion batteries based on Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 anode (regarding both potential and capacity) does not exceed one third of that on graphite if they are coupled with a typical 4 V cathode. 5 It was recently reported that Li can be intercalated into the layered transition metal oxide LiVO 2 , 6 but its major difficulty for application as an anode lies in the fast 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 deterioration of the material.…”

“…Furthermore, the thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on its surface could also introduce kinetic problems for fast charge and discharge. 8 Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 has been found to change its structure negligibly during the discharge/charge process, and possesses good lithium ion mobility and a long and stable voltage plateau, together with low cost, environmental friendliness, and enhanced safety. [8][9][10] Nevertheless, its potential is still relatively higher, about 1.6 V (versus Li + /Li), thus halving the overall cell voltage and negating the benefits.…”

“…[11][12][13] So, it would be of great interest to find a new intercalation anode with large capacity and appropriate intercalation potential. 5 Recently, it was reported that Li 3 VO 4 + , lower than the potential of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and higher than that of graphite. Its theoretical capacity is 394 mAh g −1 , in accordance with x = 2 in Li 3+x VO 4 .…”

“…5 Recently, it was reported that Li 3 VO 4 + , lower than the potential of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and higher than that of graphite. Its theoretical capacity is 394 mAh g −1 , in accordance with x = 2 in Li 3+x VO 4 . Combined with the low and safe voltage, Li 3 VO 4 features a large specific capacity and low cost.…”

Nanoscale Organic Hybrid Electrolytes

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Significant effort has been devoted by research groups world-wide to the development of polymer and composite polymer electrolytes for use in lithium batteries [1,2] . The best known polymer ionic conductor, polyethylene oxide (PEO), is crystalline and has low conductivity at room temperature.

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