Showing papers on "Organic radical battery published in 2013"

Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Electrochemistry, Materials, and Prospects

Abstract: With the increasing demand for efficient and economic energy storage, Li-S batteries have become attractive candidates for the next-generation high-energy rechargeable Li batteries because of their high theoretical energy density and cost effectiveness. Starting from a brief history of Li-S batteries, this Review introduces the electrochemistry of Li-S batteries, and discusses issues resulting from the electrochemistry, such as the electroactivity and the polysulfide dissolution. To address these critical issues, recent advances in Li-S batteries are summarized, including the S cathode, Li anode, electrolyte, and new designs of Li-S batteries with a metallic Li-free anode. Constructing S molecules confined in the conductive microporous carbon materials to improve the cyclability of Li-S batteries serves as a prospective strategy for the industry in the future.

Towards sustainable and versatile energy storage devices: an overview of organic electrode materials

Abstract: As an alternative to conventional inorganic intercalation electrode materials, organic electrode materials are promising candidates for the next generation of sustainable and versatile energy storage devices. In this paper we provide an overview of organic electrode materials, including their fundamental knowledge, development history and perspective applications. Based on different organics including n-type, p-type and bipolar, we firstly analyzed their working principles, reaction mechanisms, electrochemical performances, advantages and challenges. To understand the development history and trends in organic electrode materials, we elaborate in detail various organics with different structures, including conducting polymers, organodisulfides, thioethers, nitroxyl radical polymers and conjugated carbonyl compounds. The high electrochemical performance, in addition with the unique features of organics such as flexibility, processability and structure diversity, provide them great perspective in various energy storage devices, including rechargeable Li/Na batteries, supercapacitors, thin film batteries, aqueous rechargeable batteries, redox flow batteries and even all-organic batteries. It is expected that organic electrode materials will show their talents in the “post Li-ion battery” era, towards cheap, green, sustainable and versatile energy storage devices.

Charge carriers in rechargeable batteries: Na ions vs. Li ions

Abstract: We discuss the similarities and dissimilarities of sodium- and lithium-ion batteries in terms of negative and positive electrodes. Compared to the comprehensive body of work on lithium-ion batteries, research on sodium-ion batteries is still at the germination stage. Since both sodium and lithium are alkali metals, they share similar chemical properties including ionicity, electronegativity and electrochemical reactivity. They accordingly have comparable synthetic protocols and electrochemical performances, which indicates that sodium-ion batteries can be successfully developed based on previously applied approaches or methods in the lithium counterpart. The electrode materials in Li-ion batteries provide the best library for research on Na-ion batteries because many Na-ion insertion hosts have their roots in Li-ion insertion hosts. However, the larger size and different bonding characteristics of sodium ions influence the thermodynamic and/or kinetic properties of sodium-ion batteries, which leads to unexpected behaviour in electrochemical performance and reaction mechanism, compared to lithium-ion batteries. This perspective provides a comparative overview of the major developments in the area of positive and negative electrode materials in both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries in the past decade. Highlighted are concepts in solid state chemistry and electrochemistry that have provided new opportunities for tailored design that can be extended to many different electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Evolution of Strategies for Modern Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract: This Account provides perspective on the evolution of the rechargeable battery and summarizes innovations in the development of these devices. Initially, I describe the components of a conventional rechargeable battery along with the engineering parameters that define the figures of merit for a single cell. In 1967, researchers discovered fast Na+ conduction at 300 K in Na β,β′′-alumina. Since then battery technology has evolved from a strongly acidic or alkaline aqueous electrolyte with protons as the working ion to an organic liquid-carbonate electrolyte with Li+ as the working ion in a Li-ion battery. The invention of the sodium-sulfur and Zebra batteries stimulated consideration of framework structures as crystalline hosts for mobile guest alkali ions, and the jump in oil prices in the early 1970s prompted researchers to consider alternative room-temperature batteries with aprotic liquid electrolytes. With the existence of Li primary cells and ongoing research on the chemistry of reversible Li interca...

Tailoring deposition and morphology of discharge products towards high-rate and long-life lithium-oxygen batteries

Abstract: Poor rate capability and low cycle stability are common problems in lithium-oxygen batteries. Xu et al. present a free-standing palladium-modified carbon-based cathode with a tailored porous honeycomb-like structure, which is capable of high-rate and long-term battery operation.

Making Li‐Air Batteries Rechargeable: Material Challenges

Abstract: A Li-air battery could potentially provide three to five times higher energy density/specific energy than conventional batteries and, thus, enable the driving range of an electric vehicle to be comparable to gasoline vehicles. However, making Li-air batteries rechargeable presents significant challenges, mostly related to the materials. Here, the key factors that influence the rechargeability of Li-air batteries are discussed with a focus on nonaqueous systems. The status and materials challenges for nonaqueous rechargeable Li-air batteries are reviewed. These include electrolytes, cathode (electrocatalysts), lithium metal anodes, and oxygen-selective membranes (oxygen supply from air). A perspective for the future of rechargeable Li-air batteries is provided.

Lithium Polysulfidophosphates: A Family of Lithium-Conducting Sulfur-Rich Compounds for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract: Given the great potential for improving the energy density of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries by a factor of 5, a breakthrough in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries will have a dramatic impact in a broad scope of energy related fields. Conventional Li-S batteries that use liquid electrolytes are intrinsically short-lived with low energy efficiency. The challenges stem from the poor electronic and ionic conductivities of elemental sulfur and its discharge products. We report herein lithium polysulfidophosphates (LPSP), a family of sulfur-rich compounds, as the enabler of long-lasting and energy-efficient Li-S batteries. LPSP have ionic conductivities of 3.0 10-5 S cm-1 at 25 oC, which is 8 orders of magnitude higher than that of Li2S (~10-13 S cm-1). The high Li-ion conductivity of LPSP is the salient characteristic of these compounds that impart the excellent cycling performance to Li-S batteries. In addition, the batteries are configured in an all-solid state that promises the safe cycling of high-energy batteries with metallic lithium anodes.

A Low-Overpotential Potassium–Oxygen Battery Based on Potassium Superoxide

Abstract: Li–O2 battery is regarded as one of the most promising energy storage systems for future applications. However, its energy efficiency is greatly undermined by the large overpotentials of the discharge (formation of Li2O2) and charge (oxidation of Li2O2) reactions. The parasitic reactions of electrolyte and carbon electrode induced by the high charging potential cause the decay of capacity and limit the battery life. Here, a K–O2 battery is report that uses K+ ions to capture O2– to form the thermodynamically stable KO2 product. This allows for the battery to operate through the one-electron redox process of O2/O2–. Our studies confirm the formation and removal of KO2 in the battery cycle test. Furthermore, without the use of catalysts, the battery shows a low discharge/charge potential gap of less than 50 mV at a modest current density, which is the lowest one that has ever been reported in metal–oxygen batteries.

The Li–CO2 battery: a novel method for CO2 capture and utilization

Abstract: We report a novel primary Li–CO2 battery that consumes pure CO2 gas as its cathode. The battery exhibits a high discharge capacity of around 2500 mA h g−1 at moderate temperatures. At 100 °C the discharge capacity is close to 1000% higher than that at 40 °C, and the temperature dependence is significantly weaker for higher surface area carbon cathodes. Ex-situ FTIR and XRD analyses convincingly show that lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is the main component of the discharge product. The feasibility of similar primary metal–CO2 batteries based on earth abundant metal anodes, such as Al and Mg, is demonstrated. The metal–CO2 battery platform provides a novel approach for simultaneous capturing of CO2 emissions and producing electrical energy.

A low cost, all-organic Na-ion Battery Based on Polymeric Cathode and Anode

Abstract: Current battery systems have severe cost and resource restrictions, difficultly to meet the large scale electric storage applications. Herein, we report an all-organic Na-ion battery using p-dopable polytriphenylamine as cathode and n-type redox-active poly(anthraquinonyl sulphide) as anode, excluding the use of transition-metals as in conventional electrochemical batteries. Such a Na-ion battery can work well with a voltage output of 1.8 V and realize a considerable specific energy of 92 Wh kg(-1). Due to the structural flexibility and stability of the redox-active polymers, this battery has a superior rate capability with 60% capacity released at a very high rate of 16 C (3200 mA g(-1)) and also exhibit an excellent cycling stability with 85% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 8 C rate. Most significantly, this type of all-organic batteries could be made from renewable and earth-abundant materials, thus offering a new possibility for widespread energy storage applications.

The Effect of Oxygen Crossover on the Anode of a Li–O2 Battery using an Ether‐Based Solvent: Insights from Experimental and Computational Studies

Abstract: Crosstown traffic: Further development of Li-O(2) batteries may eventually lead to their use in transportation applications. One problem that needs to be addressed is electrolyte decomposition, which has been partially mitigated by using ether- rather than carbonate-based solvents. The influence of oxygen crossover from the cathode to the anode on electrolyte, and lithium anode, decomposition in ether-based Li-O(2) batteries is investigated.

A green Li-organic battery working as a fuel cell in case of emergency

Abstract: The routine access to electricity always means a drastic change in terms of quality of life making it easier and safer. Consequently, the global electric demand both on and off-the-grid is growing and calls for ongoing innovation to promote reliable, clean and safe power supplies. In this context, the development of new chemistries for batteries and fuel cells could play a critical role. From our prospects aiming at fostering the concept of sustainable organic batteries, we report in this article on the peculiar properties of dilithium (2,5-dilithium-oxy)-terephthalate salt, a novel redox-active material. Based on an oriented retrosynthetic analysis, we have succeeded in elaborating this organic electrode material through an original and low-polluting synthesis scheme, which includes both chemical and biochemical CO2 sequestration in conjunction with a closed-loop solution for recycling products. Beyond its remarkable electrochemical performance vs. Li, especially as a lithiated cathode material, this compound behaves also like an oxygen scavenger. This dual electrochemical/chemical reactivity makes the self-recharging of a Li cell based on this organic salt possible by opening it to air ensuring an electrical power reserve when a conventional electrical recharge is not possible. In such a case, the pristine rechargeable Li–organic battery operates as a sort of “Li/O2 fuel cell”.

Graphene composites as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract: Since the world of mobile phones and laptops has significantly altered by a big designer named Steve Jobs, the electronic industries have strived to prepare smaller, thinner and lower weight products. The giant electronic companies, therefore, compete in developing more efficient hardware such as batteries used inside the small metallic or polymeric frame. One of the most important materials in the production lines is the lithium-based batteries which is so famous for its ability in recharging as many times as a user needs. However, this is not an indication of being long lasted, as many of the electronic devices are frequently being used for a long time. The performance, chemistry, safety and above all cost of the lithium ion batteries should be considered when the design of the compounds are at the top concern of the engineers. To increase the efficiency of the batteries a combination of graphene and nanoparticles is recently introduced and it has shown to have enormous technological effect in enhancing the durability of the batteries. However, due to very high electronic conductivity, these materials can be thought of as preparing the anode electrode in the lithiumion battery. In this paper, the various approaches to characterize different types of graphene/nanoparticles and the process of preparing the anode for the lithium-ion batteries as well as their electrical properties are discussed.

Organic Rechargeable Batteries with Tailored Voltage and Cycle Performance

Abstract: Made to order: Rechargeable batteries are fabricated by using organic electron acceptors and donors as active cathode materials. Their output voltage and cycle performance can be tuned by organic chemistry techniques. The output voltages are linked to both the redox potentials and the energy levels of the frontier molecular orbitals of the cathode materials, enabling to predict the output voltage at an early stage of the design.

Batteries for sustainability : selected entries from the Encyclopedia of sustainability science and technology

Abstract: 1. Batteries, Introduction 2. Battery Cathodes 3. Battery Components, Active Materials for 4. Electrochemical Supercapacitors and Hybrid Systems 5. Lead Acid Battery Systems and Technology for Sustainable Energy 6. Rechargeable Batteries, Separators for 7. Lithium Battery Electrolyte Stability and Performance from Molecular Modeling and Simulations 8. Lithium-Ion Batteries, Electrochemical Reactions in 9. Lithium-Ion Batteries, Safety 10. Lithium-Ion Battery Systems and Technology 11. Medical Device Batteries 12. Nanocarbons for Supercapacitors 13. Nickel-Based Battery Systems 14. Olivine Phosphate Cathode Materials, Reactivity and Reaction Mechanisms 15. Silicon-Based Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries Index

Lithium Batteries and other Electrochemical Storage Systems

Abstract: Lithium batteries were introduced relatively recently in comparison to leador nickel-based batteries, which have been around for over 100 years. Nevertheless, in the space of 20 years, they have acquired a considerable market share – particularly for the supply of mobile devices. We are still a long way from exhausting the possibilities that they offer. Numerous projects will undoubtedly further improve their performances in the years to come. For large-scale storage systems, other types of batteries are also worthy of consideration: hot batteries and redox flow systems, for example. This book begins by showing the diversity of applications for secondary batteries and the main characteristics required of them in terms of storage. After a chapter presenting the definitions and measuring methods used in the world of electrochemical storage, and another that gives examples of the applications of batteries, the remainder of this book is given over to describing the batteries developed recently (end of the 20th Century) which are now being commercialized, as well as those with a bright future. The authors also touch upon the increasingly rapid evolution of the technologies, particularly regarding lithium batteries, for which the avenues of research are extremely varied.

Nano-fibrous polymer films for organic rechargeable batteries

Abstract: We propose a nano-fibrous polymer (NFP) film, fabricated by electrospinning poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate) (PTMA), as a key component in high performance organic batteries. The new strategy with a NFP film enables extraordinary rate capability and excellent cyclability, due to its special morphology. Moreover, the NFP film enhances the flexibility of the electrode at a low cost and prevents dissolution of PTMA into the electrolyte.

Small organic molecule based flow battery

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell based on a new chemistry for a flow battery for large scale, e.g., gridscale, electrical energy storage. Electrical energy is stored chemically at an electrochemical electrode by the protonation of small organic molecules called quinones to hydroquinones. The proton is provided by a complementary electrochemical reaction at the other electrode. These reactions are reversed to deliver electrical energy. A flow battery based on this concept can operate as a closed system. The flow battery architecture has scaling advantages over solid electrode batteries for large scale energy storage.

Redox flow battery for hydrogen generation

Abstract: The present invention combines the storage capacity of redox flow batteries and the production of hydrogen and other products of chemical redox reactions. The redox couple of each electrolyte is chemically regenerated on a specific catalyst bed 11, replacing the discharging processes of the battery, whilst oxidizing or reducing other species present. This allows for the production of hydrogen on the cathodic side, and various useful products on the anodic side, such as oxygen for fuel cell application. The proposed system uses a dual circuit arrangement from which electrolytes 8 may be pumped through the catalyst beds 11 as desired, once they are in their charged state.

On Several Battery Technologies for Power Grids

Abstract: Against the background of ever-increasing importance of battery technologies for grid-scale energy storage with the energy storage batteries playing a crucial role in the development of modern electric power system,a discussion is made on the history,current research and development of several battery technologies available including lead acid battery,lithium-ion battery,flow battery,sodium sulfur battery,and newly emerging sodium-ion battery and liquid metal battery.The advantages of and challenges for grid-scale energy storage application of these technologies are analyzed.It is considered that,while further improving the performance of existing batteries and lowering the cost of energy storage,it is imperative to develop the next generation of electrochemical energy storage system capable of meeting large-scale application.

Long Term Stability Study of a Solid Oxide Metal-Air Battery

Abstract: A new high temperature rechargeable "metal-air" battery has recently been proposed as a new mechanism for grid energy storage. This new battery consists of a regenerative solid oxide fuel cell (RSOFC) and a metal/metal oxide redox couple. In this paper we present the working principle, thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives, and key features of the new battery. Iron is selected as the redox-couple material to store the energy. The long-term test of the battery over 100 cycles at a high rate shows a gradual decline of performance that eventually stabilizes. Post-test analysis indicates that the origin of the degradation is associated with the anode of RSOFC.

Metal hydrides for high-power batteries

Abstract: Rechargeable batteries are essentially unstable systems with respect to charging/discharging. The main electrode reactions of all battery chemistries are well known but are valid and reversible only at small currents. When batteries are used with nonzero current, gradients in voltage, current, and temperature will arise and initiate a number of less understood parasitic reactions. If all these rather complicated and interconnected reactions are not reversible upon charging/discharging, the battery will derail after a number of charging/discharging cycles. This article describes two ways to improve performance. One is to choose applications where the battery is not deeply discharged, such as in hybrid electric vehicles. In battery electric vehicle applications, this would correspond to working with a significantly oversized battery. The second way is to improve uniformity and quality of design and materials of metal hydride electrodes; however, this will also drastically increase cost, and for a battery application, the total throughput of available energy over the lifetime cost of the battery must be maximized. Uniform metal hydride particles with a large and uniform reaction surface are examples of how to increase battery performance by making the electrodes work under more ideal conditions, which slows down the deteriorating influence from the parasitic reactions.

Liquid metal battery

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal battery, and in particular, to a metal battery including a liquid anode and a liquid cathode. The metal batteries can operate at ambient temperature and can be prepared fully uncharged for safe transport and storage.