Abstract:
RFBs having solid hybrid electrodes can address at least the problems of active material consumption, electrode passivation, and metal electrode dendrite growth that can be characteristic of traditional batteries, especially those operating at high current densities. The RFBs each have a first half cell containing a first redox couple dissolved in a solution or contained in a suspension. The solution or suspension can flow from a reservoir to the first half cell. A second half cell contains the solid hybrid electrode, which has a first electrode connected to a second electrode, thereby resulting in an equipotential between the first and second electrodes. The first and second half cells are separated by a separator or membrane.
Abstract:
A method for forming a nanocomposite material, the nanocomposite material formed thereby, and a battery made using the nanocomposite material. Metal oxide and graphene are placed in a solvent to form a suspension. The suspension is then applied to a current collector. The solvent is then evaporated to form a nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material is then electrochemically cycled to form a nanocomposite material of at least one metal oxide in electrical communication with at least one graphene layer.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a graphene-sulfur nanocomposite for a cathode in a rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery comprising thermally expanding graphite oxide to yield graphene layers, mixing the graphene layers with a first solution comprising sulfur and carbon disulfide, evaporating the carbon disulfide to yield a solid nanocomposite, and grinding the solid nanocomposite to yield the graphene-sulfur nanocomposite. Rechargeable-lithium-sulfur batteries having a cathode that includes a graphene-sulfur nanocomposite can exhibit improved characteristics. The graphene-sulfur nanocomposite can be characterized by graphene sheets with particles of sulfur adsorbed to the graphene sheets. The sulfur particles have an average diameter of less than 50 nm.
Abstract:
Magnesium energy storage devices that take advantage of magnesium-based anodes while maintaining practical energy densities can be useful for large-scale energy storage as well as other applications. One such device can include a negative electrode having magnesium and a positive electrode material that can flow in a batch or continuous manner. The flowable positive electrode material can result in an increased practical energy density because the fresh active material can be flowed to the positive electrode, and as a result can be theoretically infinite in size. The positive electrode can include a cathode suspension contacting a positive current collector and having particulates of a cathode magnesium intercalation compound, a cathode magnesium conversion compound, a redox active species, or combinations thereof.
Abstract:
Electrolytes for Mg-based energy storage devices can be formed from non-nucleophilic Mg2+ sources to provide outstanding electrochemical performance and improved electrophilic susceptibility compared to electrolytes employing nucleophilic sources. The instant electrolytes are characterized by high oxidation stability (up to 3.4 V vs Mg), improved electrophile compatibility and electrochemical reversibility (up to 100% coulombic efficiency). Synthesis of the Mg2+ electrolytes utilizes inexpensive and safe magnesium dihalides as non-nucleophilic Mg2+ sources in combination with Lewis acids, MRaX3-a (for 3≧a≧1). Furthermore, addition of free-halide-anion donors can improve the coulombic efficiency of Mg electrolytes from nucleophilic or non-nucleophilic Mg2+ sources.
Abstract:
Rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries having a cathode that includes a graphene-sulfur nanocomposite can exhibit improved characteristics. The graphene-sulfur nanocomposite can be characterized by graphene sheets with particles of sulfur adsorbed to the graphene sheets. The sulfur particles have an average diameter less than 50 nm.
Abstract:
RFBs having solid hybrid electrodes can address at least the problems of active material consumption, electrode passivation, and metal electrode dendrite growth that can be characteristic of traditional batteries, especially those operating at high current densities. The RFBs each have a first half cell containing a first redox couple dissolved in a solution or contained in a suspension. The solution or suspension can flow from a reservoir to the first half cell. A second half cell contains the solid hybrid electrode, which has a first electrode connected to a second electrode, thereby resulting in an equipotential between the first and second electrodes. The first and second half cells are separated by a separator or membrane.
Abstract:
A method that includes contacting an amphipathic surface protective agent with a moisture sensitive Li-ion conductor material surface resulting in a protected Li-ion conductor material, and assembling an electrochemical cell that includes the protected Li-ion conductor material.
Abstract:
Disclosed are cathodes having electron-conductive high-surface-area materials, aqueous non-halide-containing electrolytes, secondary zinc-iodine energy storage devices using the same, and methods for assembling the same. The disclosed high-surface-area materials and the aqueous non-halide-containing electrolyte solutions can contribute together to the confinement of the active iodine species in the cathode and to the minimization of shuttle effects and self-discharging. The non-halide-containing electrolyte salts can facilitate preferential adsorption of the iodine species to the cathode material rather than dissolution in the aqueous electrolyte solution, thereby contributing to the confinement of the active iodine species.
Abstract:
A sodium-ion battery that includes an anode comprising hard carbon and lithium; and an electrolyte composition comprising an ether solvent and a sodium salt.