A novel organic/inorganic composite solid electrolyte with functionalized layers for improved room‐temperature rate performance of solid‐state lithium battery

High ionic conductivity at room temperature (RT) and good ion transport capability at electrode/electrolyte interface are fundamental requirements for high‐rate solid‐state lithium batteries (SSBs). In this work, we designed a poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC)‐based organic/inorganic composite solid electrolyte (CSE) membrane with high filling of tantalum‐doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZTO) and functionalized layers for enhancing the RT rate performance of SSB. The synergistic effect of LLZTO and interfacial functionalized layers endows the NCM622/CSE/Li battery with high‐rate and cycling performances at RT. The SSB with 20% LLZTO‐filled solid electrolyte shows the initial capacities of 162.0, 148.5 and 130.1 mAh g^?1 at 1C, 2C, and 3C respectively, with retention capacities of 115.6, 104, and 100.6 mAh g^?1 after 150 cycles. This strategy for an organic/inorganic CSE is of great practical significance for the development of high‐rate SSBs.     

High‐performance solid PEO/PPC/LLTO‐nanowires polymer composite electrolyte for solid‐state lithium battery

Solid polymer composite electrolyte (SPCE) with good safety, easy processability, and high ionic conductivity was a promising solution to achieve the development of advanced solid‐state lithium battery. Herein, through electrospinning and subsequent calcination, the Li_0.33La_0.557TiO₃ nanowires (LLTO‐NWs) with high ionic conductivity were synthesized. They were utilized to prepare polymer composite electrolytes which were composed of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC), lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), and LLTO‐NWs. Their structures, thermal properties, ionic conductivities, ion transference number, electrochemical stability window, as well as their compatibility with lithium metal, were studied. The results displayed that the maximum ionic conductivities of SPCE containing 8 wt.% LLTO‐NWs were 5.66 × 10^?5 S cm^?1 and 4.72 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature and 60°C, respectively. The solid‐state LiFePO₄/Li cells assembled with this novel SPCE exhibited an initial reversible discharge capacity of 135 mAh g^?1 and good cycling stability at a charge/discharge current density of 0.5 C at 60°C.     

N‐doped titania powders prepared by different nitrogen sources and their application in quasi‐solid state dye‐sensitized solar cells

Nitrogen‐doped TiO₂ nanocrystalline particles are synthesized by a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal growth method using different amines (Dipropylamine, Diethanolamine and Ammonium hydroxide) as nitrogen sources. Characterization of the nanoparticles was performed with X‐ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The prepared N‐doped TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibit pure anatase phase with average diameter of 9 nm and reduced optical energy gap compared to undoped TiO₂. Immobilization of N‐doped and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles on SnO₂:F conductive glass substrates was successfully performed by using doctor‐blade technique and paste of the aforementioned nanoparticles. A series of N‐doped TiO₂ photoelectrodes with varying N dopant source and concentrations were fabricated for quasi‐solid state dye‐sensitized solar cells. The N‐doped solar cells achieve an overall conversion efficiency ranging from 4.0 to 5.7% while undoped TiO₂ showed 3.6%. The basic difference to the electrical performance of the cells is focused to the enhancement in the current density of N‐doped TiO₂‐based cells which was from 11% to 58% compared with undoped TiO₂ cells. Current densities were directly proportional with nitrogen doping level in TiO₂ lattice which differs depending on the amine source nature such as basicity differences, hydrogen bonding abilities and steric inherences. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling and simulation of 2D lithium‐ion solid state battery

The goal of the work presented here was to develop a simulation approach for studying the effects of materials and geometry on the performance of Li‐ion Solid State Batteries (SSB). Simulation provides the opportunity to explore, with ease, different material properties and cell geometries to optimize a Li‐ion SSB's performance. Simulations shown in this paper are time‐dependent and consider electrochemical reaction, heat transfer, the diffusion of Li‐ions and electrons in the electrolyte, and solid Li diffusion in the positive electrode. A 2D model was simulated and the results shown. The simulations were able to show discharge curves, heat flux, the concentration of Li‐ions, electrons, and solid Li at any time in the discharge cycle. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3D printed Sm-doped ceria composite electrolyte membrane for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Three dimensional (3D) printing has attracted much more interest from the research community due to its ability to make complex structures with high resolution and simplified fabrication process. Here we constructed composited electrolyte with certain thickness for the application of low temperature of solid oxide fuel cells. The fabrication of a thin and dense Sm-doped ceria composite electrolyte layers with the thickness about 1200 μm utilizing paraffin-based slurry were investigated. To optimize the assembled cells, 1.7 wt. % glassfiber was introduced and an amazing electrochemical performance was observed. The maximum power density can reach 448 mW/cm², 20% higher than the one without glassfiber and the open-circuit voltage is approximately 1.0 V at 550 °C. It is of great potential for 3D printing technology to develop low temperature solid fuel cells with designed mini-structures.     

Studies of modified lithiated NiO cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell with ceria-carbonate composite electrolyte

In this work, the effect of copper, iron and cobalt oxides on electrochemical properties of lithiated NiO cathodes was reported in low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC) with ceria-carbonate composite electrolyte. The modified lithiated NiO cathodes were characterized by XRD, DC conductivity, SEM and electrochemical measurements. In spite of lower conductivities of modified cathodes, Li–Ni–M (M = Cu, Fe, Co) oxides with the order of Li–Ni–Co oxide > Li–Ni–Fe oxide > Li–Ni–Cu oxide, compared with that without modification, the catalytic activities of all the Li–Ni–M oxides were improved. In particularly, cobalt oxide modification favors both charge transfer and gas diffusion for O₂ reduction reaction as confirmed by AC impedance measurements. SEM micrographs show that grains aggregate with the modification of copper oxide or iron oxide, which may be responsible for the increased gas diffusion resistance. The results indicate that the lithiated NiO modified by cobalt oxide as cathode is an alternative to improve LT-SOFC performance with ceria-carbonate composite electrolyte.     

Modeling of steady‐state and transient thermal performance of a Li‐ion cell with an axial fluidic channel for cooling

Thermal management of Li‐ion cells is an important technological problem for energy conversion and storage. Effective dissipation of heat generated during the operation of a Li‐ion cell is critical to ensure safety and performance. In this paper, thermal performance of a cylindrical Li‐ion cell with an axial channel for coolant flow is analyzed. Analytical expressions are derived for steady‐state and transient temperature fields in the cell. The analytical models are in excellent agreement with finite‐element simulation results. The dependence of the temperature field on various geometrical and thermal characteristics of the cell is analyzed. It is shown that coolant flow through even a very small diameter axial channel results in significant thermal benefit. The trade‐off between thermal benefit and reduction in cell volume, and hence capacity due to the axial channel, is analyzed. The effect of axial cooling on geometrical design of the cell, and transient thermal performance during a discharge process, is also analyzed. Results presented in this paper are expected to aid in the development of effective cooling techniques for Li‐ion cells based on axial cooling. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Achieving high performance for aluminum stabilized Li7La3Zr2O12 solid electrolytes for all solid‐state Li‐ion batteries: A thermodynamic point of view

For the solid‐state reaction synthesis of Al containing Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂, various precursors have been used. Since there is a lack of general agreement for choosing precursors, a quantitative approach to build a consensus is required. In this study, a thermodynamic point of view for selecting the precursors in the field of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ synthesis was covered according to the Gibbs free energy and enthalpy change of precursors' decomposition reactions. In terms of Gibbs free energy change calculations, LiOH, La(OH)₃, and Al(OH)₃ were favorable whereas, LiOH, La₂O₃, and Al(OH)₃ were the preferred precursors for the enthalpy change calculations. Pellets prepared by using the favored precursors calculated from enthalpy change showed improved densification, higher ionic conductivity (2.11 × 10^?4 S/cm), and lower activation energy (0.23 eV) compared with Gibbs free energy change. As a thermodynamically favored aluminum precursor, Al(OH)₃ was discussed in the present study and hinders the ionic conductivity in comparison to Al₂O₃.     

Role of carbonate phase in ceria–carbonate composite for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells: A review

Ceria–salt composites represent one type of promising electrolyte candidates for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT‐SOFCs), in which ceria–carbonate attracts particular attention because of its impressive ionic conductivity and unique hybrid ionic conduction behavior compared with the commonly used single‐phase electrolyte materials. It has been demonstrated that the introduction of carbonate in these new ceria‐based composite materials initiates multi new functionalities over single‐phase oxide, which therefore needs a comprehensive understanding and review focus. In this review, the roles of carbonate in the ceria–carbonate composites and composite electrolyte‐based LT‐SOFCs are analyzed from the aspects of sintering aid, electrolyte densification reagent, electrolyte/electrode interfacial ‘glue’ and sources of super oxygen ionic and proton conduction, as well as the oxygen reduction reaction promoter for the first time. This summary remarks the significance of carbonate in the ceria–carbonate composites for low temperature, 300–600 °C, SOFCs and related highly efficient energy conversion applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.