Ecole Doctorale des Sciences

Nanometric materials for applications in lithium ion batteries

Prof. Julián Morales Palomino

Inorganic Chemistry Research Group, University of Córdoba, Spain

Date and location:

Wednesday February 24th 2010, 16 h
Lecture room 1.75, Chemistry Institute B6c
University of Liège, Sart-Tilman

Abstract:

The use of nanomaterials can significantly affect the performance of lithium ion batteries (LIB) as a result of different factors. The decrease in particle size increases the area of the electrode/electrolyte interface, leading to a greater capacity delivered by the cell and therefore to a higher specific energy for the battery. However, electrolyte decomposition can be enhanced, in detriment of the battery performance.
The nanometric grain size also decreases the distance for Li ion displacement, facilitating the Li mobility. In this way, the rate capability of the battery can be improved, together with the delivered specific power. Other effects related with nanostructured morphologies, such as nanotubes, nanorods, nanowire ... can also improve the electrode performance. However, the synthesis methods of nanomaterials are complex and expensive to be applicable on a large scale. This is a significant drawback for the introduction of these materials in the manufacture of commercial batteries. 
Several examples of nanomaterials used in LIB will be discussed, most of them studied by our group.