Limiting Factors Affecting the Ionic Conductivities of LATP/Polymer Hybrid Electrolytes

All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries (ASSLB) are promising candidates for next generation lithium battery systems due to their increased safety, stability, and energy density. Ceramic and solid composite electrolytes (SCE), which consist of dispersed ceramic particles within a polymeric host, are among the preferred technologies for use as electrolytes in ASSLB systems. Synergetic effects between ceramic and polymer electrolyte components are usually reported in SCE. Herein, we report a case study on the lithium conductivity of ceramic and SCE comprised of Li1.4Al0.4Ti1.6(PO4)3 (LATP), a NASICON-type ceramic. An evaluation of the impact of the processing and sintering of the ceramic on the conductive properties of the electrolyte is addressed. The study is then extended to Poly(Ethylene) Oxide (PEO)-LATP SCE. The presence of the ceramic particles conferred limited benefits to the SCE. These findings somewhat contradict commonly held assumptions on the role of ceramic additives in SCE

Thermal and Electrochemical Properties of Solid Polymer Electrolytes Prepared via Lithium Salt-Catalyzed Epoxide Ring Opening Polymerization

Solid polymer electrolytes have been widely proposed for use in all solid-state lithium batteries. Advantages of polymer electrolytes over liquid and ceramic electrolytes include their flexibility, tunability and easy processability. An additional benefit of using some types of polymers for electrolytes is that they can be processed without the use of solvents. An example of polymers that are compatible with solvent-free processing is epoxide-containing precursors that can form films via the lithium salt-catalyzed epoxide ring opening polymerization reaction. Many polymers with epoxide functional groups are liquid under ambient conditions and can be used to directly dissolve lithium salts, allowing the reaction to be performed in a single reaction vessel under mild conditions. The existence of a variety of epoxide-containing polymers opens the possibility for significant customization of the resultant films. This review discusses several varieties of epoxide-based polymer electrolytes (polyethylene, silicone-based, amine and plasticizer-containing) and to compare them based on their thermal and electrochemical properties

ZnSnSb2 anode: A solid solution behavior enabling high rate capability in Li-ion batteries

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On the high cycling stability of NbSnSb in Li-ion batteries at high temperature

International audienceInspired by the high performance obtained previously with TiSnSb, NbSnSb was investigated as negative electrode in Li-ion batterie. After its synthesis by ball milling and full characterization by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy, electrochemical tests at various current rates and temperatures were realized. The electrochemical performance at 25 and 60 °C turned out to be very promising, being better than those previously obtained with the parent electrode material TiSnSb with a specific capacity higher than 450 mAh/g maintained during more than 400 cycles at 60 °C. Preliminary tests in full cells confirmed that this anode material could be considered as a potential material for future Li-ion batteries

Designs of Experiments for Beginners—A Quick Start Guide for Application to Electrode Formulation

In this paper, we will describe in detail the setting up of a Design of Experiments (DoE) applied to the formulation of electrodes for Li-ion batteries. We will show that, with software guidance, Designs of Experiments are simple yet extremely useful statistical tools to set up and embrace. An Optimal Combined Design was used to identify influential factors and pinpoint the optimal formulation, according to the projected use. Our methodology follows an eight-step workflow adapted from the literature. Once the study objectives are clearly identified, it is necessary to consider the time, cost, and complexity of an experiment before choosing the responses that best describe the system, as well as the factors to vary. By strategically selecting the mixtures to be characterized, it is possible to minimize the number of experiments, and obtain a statistically relevant empirical equation which links responses and design factors

SnSb electrodes for Li-ion batteries: the electrochemical mechanism and capacity fading origins elucidated by using operando techniques

International audienceSnSb was synthesized by ultra-fast microwave solid-state synthesis. The lithiation/delithiation mechanism of SnSb was fully revisited through operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. While many studies have underlined the attractive electrochemical performance of SnSb as the electrode material for Li-ion batteries, only a few of them have focused on the complex electrochemical mechanism. In this work, the complementary results of operando XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to fully investigate this complex electrochemical system. The alloying mechanism with the reversible formation of Li3Sb and LiySn lithiated phases was confirmed and complemented with additional information on the nature of the LiySn phases, namely Li2Sn5, LiSn, Li5Sn2 and Li7Sn2. Moreover, we demonstrated that the improved performance of SnSb compared to a physical mixture of Sn and Sb lies in the nature of the interfaces between the lithiated phases at the end of discharge. The progressive decrease of the availability/accessibility of Sn for the regeneration of SnSb at the end of the charge was also identified as a major failure mechanism for the long-term cycling stability of SnSb electrodes