Meng Jiang

Bio: Meng Jiang is an academic researcher from General Motors. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electrode & Lithium. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 32 publications receiving 2011 citations. Previous affiliations of Meng Jiang include McMaster University & Stony Brook University.

Lithium salt of tetrahydroxybenzoquinone: toward the development of a sustainable Li-ion battery.

Abstract: The use of lithiated redox organic molecules containing electrochemically active C═O functionalities, such as lithiated oxocarbon salts, is proposed. These represent alternative electrode materials to those used in current Li-ion battery technology that can be synthesized from renewable starting materials. The key material is the tetralithium salt of tetrahydroxybenzoquinone (Li4C6O6), which can be both reduced to Li2C6O6 and oxidized to Li6C6O6. In addition to being directly synthesized from tetrahydroxybenzoquinone by neutralization at room temperature, we demonstrate that this salt can readily be formed by the thermal disproportionation of Li2C6O6 (dilithium rhodizonate phase) under an inert atmosphere. The Li4C6O6 compound shows good electrochemical performance vs Li with a sustained reversibility of ∼200 mAh g−1 at an average potential of 1.8 V, allowing a Li-ion battery that cycles between Li2C6O6 and Li6C6O6 to be constructed.

Electrochemical and Structural Study of the Layered, “Li-Excess” Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Material Li[Li1/9Ni1/3Mn5/9]O2

Abstract: The overcapacity mechanism and high voltage process of the Li-excess electrode material Li[Li1/9Ni1/3Mn5/9]O2 are studied by solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, combined with galvanostatic and potentiostatic intermittent titration electrochemical measurements. The cycling performance is improved noticeably when the material is cycled between potential windows of 5.3−2.5 V compared to 4.6−2.5 V. Diffraction data show that structural changes occur at high voltages, the solid-state NMR data of the same samples indicating that the high voltage processes above 4.4 V are associated with Li removal from the structure, in addition to electrolyte decomposition. The NMR spectra of the discharged samples show that cation rearrangements in the transition metal layers have occurred. The XAS spectra confirm that the Mn oxidation state remains unchanged at 4+, whereas Ni2+ is oxidized to Ni4+ on charging to 4.4 V, returning to Ni2+ on discharge, independen...

Identifying the local structures formed during lithiation of the conversion material, iron fluoride, in a Li ion battery: a solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, and pair distribution function analysis study.

Abstract: The structural transformations that occur when FeF3 is cycled at room temperature in a Li cell were investigated using a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, and magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopy. Two regions are seen on discharge. The first occurs between Li = 0 and 1.0 and involves an insertion reaction. This first region actually comprises two steps: First, a two-phase reaction between Li = 0 and 0.5 occurs, and the Li0.5FeF3 phase that is formed gives rise to a Li NMR resonance due to Li+ ions near both Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions. On the basis of the PDF data, the local structure of this phase is closer to the rutile structure than the original ReO3 structure. Second, a single-phase intercalation reaction occurs between Li = 0.5 and 1.0, for which the Li NMR data indicate a progressive increase in the concentration of Fe2+ ions. In the second region, the conversion reaction, superparamagnetic, nanosized (∼3 nm) Fe metal is formed, as indicated by the XRD and N...

Toward Practical Application of Functional Conductive Polymer Binder for a High-Energy Lithium-Ion Battery Design

Abstract: Silicon alloys have the highest specific capacity when used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries; however, the drastic volume change inherent in their use causes formidable challenges toward achieving stable cycling performance. Large quantities of binders and conductive additives are typically necessary to maintain good cell performance. In this report, only 2% (by weight) functional conductive polymer binder without any conductive additives was successfully used with a micron-size silicon monoxide (SiO) anode material, demonstrating stable and high gravimetric capacity (>1000 mAh/g) for ∼500 cycles and more than 90% capacity retention. Prelithiation of this anode using stabilized lithium metal powder (SLMP) improves the first cycle Coulombic efficiency of a SiO/NMC full cell from ∼48% to ∼90%. The combination enables good capacity retention of more than 80% after 100 cycles at C/3 in a lithium-ion full cell.

Electrical Energy Storage for the Grid: A Battery of Choices

Abstract: The increasing interest in energy storage for the grid can be attributed to multiple factors, including the capital costs of managing peak demands, the investments needed for grid reliability, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Although existing energy storage is dominated by pumped hydroelectric, there is the recognition that battery systems can offer a number of high-value opportunities, provided that lower costs can be obtained. The battery systems reviewed here include sodium-sulfur batteries that are commercially available for grid applications, redox-flow batteries that offer low cost, and lithium-ion batteries whose development for commercial electronics and electric vehicles is being applied to grid storage.

Challenges for Rechargeable Li Batteries

Abstract: The challenges for further development of Li rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles are reviewed. Most important is safety, which requires development of a nonflammable electrolyte with either a larger window between its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) or a constituent (or additive) that can develop rapidly a solid/ electrolyte-interface (SEI) layer to prevent plating of Li on a carbon anode during a fast charge of the battery. A high Li-ion conductivity (σ Li > 10 ―4 S/cm) in the electrolyte and across the electrode/ electrolyte interface is needed for a power battery. Important also is an increase in the density of the stored energy, which is the product of the voltage and capacity of reversible Li insertion/extraction into/from the electrodes. It will be difficult to design a better anode than carbon, but carbon requires formation of an SEI layer, which involves an irreversible capacity loss. The design of a cathode composed of environmentally benign, low-cost materials that has its electrochemical potential μ C well-matched to the HOMO of the electrolyte and allows access to two Li atoms per transition-metal cation would increase the energy density, but it is a daunting challenge. Two redox couples can be accessed where the cation redox couples are "pinned" at the top of the O 2p bands, but to take advantage of this possibility, it must be realized in a framework structure that can accept more than one Li atom per transition-metal cation. Moreover, such a situation represents an intrinsic voltage limit of the cathode, and matching this limit to the HOMO of the electrolyte requires the ability to tune the intrinsic voltage limit. Finally, the chemical compatibility in the battery must allow a long service life.

Towards greener and more sustainable batteries for electrical energy storage

Abstract: Energy storage using batteries offers a solution to the intermittent nature of energy production from renewable sources; however, such technology must be sustainable. This Review discusses battery development from a sustainability perspective, considering the energy and environmental costs of state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries and the design of new systems beyond Li-ion. Images: batteries, car, globe: © iStock/Thinkstock.

Advanced Materials for Energy Storage

Abstract: [Liu, Chang; Li, Feng; Ma, Lai-Peng; Cheng, Hui-Ming] Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China.;Cheng, HM (reprint author), Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, 72 Wenhua Rd, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China;cheng@imr.ac.cn