Comparative life cycle assessment of Fe2O3-based fibers as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

AbstractSodium-ion batteries (SIBs) potentially represent a more sustainable, less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The development of new low-cost, non-toxic, highly performing electrode materials is the key point for the SIB technology advances. This study develops a basic life cycle assessment (LCA) model for the evaluation of the production by electrospinning of iron (III) oxide-based fibers to be used as anode materials in SIBs. Indeed, it has been recently demonstrated that electrospun silicon-doped iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) fibers exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties and gravimetric capacities never achieved before for pure Fe2O3-based anodes. The LCA methodology is utilized in order to analyze the environmental burdens (from raw material extraction to manufacturing process) of these electrode materials. The simplified comparative LCA studies, conducted to assess the environmental impacts associated with the electrospun Fe2O3 and Fe2O3:Si fibers at the same cell performance, demonstrate that the Si-doped anode material, which exhibits better electrochemical performance with respect to the undoped one, has also lower impact for each category of damage, namely human health, ecosystem quality and resources

Red phosphorus decorated electrospun carbon anodes for high efficiency lithium ion batteries

Electrospinning is a powerful and versatile technique to produce efficient, specifically tailored and high-added value anodes for lithium ion batteries. Indeed, electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs) provide faster intercalation kinetics, shorter diffusion paths for ions/electrons transport and a larger number of lithium insertion sites with respect to commonly employed powder materials. With a view to further enhance battery performances, red phosphorous (RP) is considered one of the most promising materials that can be used in association with CNFs. RP/CNFs smart combinations can be exploited to overcome RP low conductivity and large volume expansion during cycling. In this context, we suggest a simple and cost effective double-step procedure to obtain high-capacity CNFs anodes and to enhance their electrochemical performances with the insertion of red phosphorous in the matrix. We propose a simple dropcasting method to confine micro- and nanosized RP particles within electrospun CNFs, thus obtaining a highly efficient, self-standing, binder-free anode. Phosphorous decorated carbon mats are characterized morphologically and tested in lithium ion batteries. Results obtained demonstrate that the reversible specific capacity and the rate capability of the obtained composite anodes is significantly improved with respect to the electrospun carbon mat alone

Algae Derived Electrodes for Rechargeable Na-Ion Batteries: Materials Characterization and Electrochemical Performances

The use of algal biomasses as alternative materials to the fossil fuel-derived ones for the production of non-graphitic hard carbon open structures (HC) as active materials for Na-ion batteries electrodes is considered. Selected algae are dried and decomposed in tubular furnaces under inert nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures comprised between 700 and 1000\ub0C. The products, before and after decomposition, are characterized with optical and SEM microscopes and with XRD analysis. This organic hard carbon is tested as electrode\u2019s active material of a sodium half coin cell. Different cyclic discharge/charge profiles between 2.5 and 0.01V are performed, the electrochemical performances of the cell analyzed and compared to those of identically assembled cells, with the only difference in the use of synthetic hard carbon instead of algae derived one. The performances of the two kinds of cells are comparable

Paving the way toward highly efficient, high-energy potassium-ion batteries with ionic liquid electrolytes

Potassium-ion batteries (KIB) are a promising complementary technology to lithium-ion batteries because of the comparative abundance and affordability of potassium. Currently, the most promising KIB chemistry consists of a potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate (KMF) cathode, a Prussian blue analog, and a graphite anode (723 W h l–1 and 359 W h kg–1 at 3.6 V). No electrolyte has yet been formulated that is concurrently stable at the high operating potential of KMF (4.02 V vs K+/K) and compatible with K+ intercalation into graphite, currently the most critical hurdle to adoption. Here, we combine a KMF cathode and a graphite anode with a KFSI in Pyr1,3FSI ionic liquid electrolyte for the first time and show unprecedented performance. We use high-throughput techniques to optimize the KMF morphology for operation in this electrolyte system, achieving 119 mA h g–1 at 4 V vs K+/K and a Coulombic efficiency of >99.3%. In the same ionic liquid electrolyte, graphite shows excellent electrochemical performance and we demonstrate reversible cycling by operando X-ray diffraction. These results are a significant and essential step forward toward viable potassium-ion batteries

Transition Metal Oxides on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties

Transition metal oxides on reduced graphene oxide (TMO@rGO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared via a very simple one-step solvothermal process, involving the simultaneous (thermal) reduction of graphene oxide to graphene and the deposition of TMO nanoparticles over its surface. Texture and morphology, microstructure, and chemical and surface compositions of the nanocomposites were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results prove that Fe2O3@rGO, CoFe2O4@rGO, and CoO@rGO are obtained by using Fe and/or Co acetates as oxide precursors, with the TMO nanoparticles uniformly anchored onto the surface of graphene sheets. The electrochemical performance of the most promising nanocomposite was evaluated as anode material for sodium ion batteries. The preliminary results of galvanostatic cycling prove that Fe2O3@rGO nanocomposite exhibits better rate capability and stability than both bare Fe2O3 and Fe2O3+rGO physical mixture

Paving the Way toward Highly Efficient, High-Energy Potassium-Ion Batteries with Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

Potassium-ion batteries (KIB) are a promising complementary technology to lithium-ion batteries because of the comparative abundance and affordability of potassium. Currently, the most promising KIB chemistry consists of a potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate (KMF) cathode, a Prussian blue analog, and a graphite anode (723 W h l–1 and 359 W h kg–1 at 3.6 V). No electrolyte has yet been formulated that is concurrently stable at the high operating potential of KMF (4.02 V vs K+/K) and compatible with K+ intercalation into graphite, currently the most critical hurdle to adoption. Here, we combine a KMF cathode and a graphite anode with a KFSI in Pyr1,3FSI ionic liquid electrolyte for the first time and show unprecedented performance. We use high-throughput techniques to optimize the KMF morphology for operation in this electrolyte system, achieving 119 mA h g–1 at 4 V vs K+/K and a Coulombic efficiency of >99.3%. In the same ionic liquid electrolyte, graphite shows excellent electrochemical performance and we demonstrate reversible cycling by operando X-ray diffraction. These results are a significant and essential step forward toward viable potassium-ion batteries

Algae-derived hard carbon anodes for Na-ion batteries

10nononeAbstract: In this work, the production of low cost and environment friendly anodes for sodium ion batteries is investigated. Algae are selected as bio-source of non-graphitic Hard Carbon (HC) with open structure acting as intercalation active material for Na ions storage. Chlorella vulgaris algae were pyrolyzed at temperatures comprised between 800 and 1100 °C. The decomposition products have been characterized with Scanning Electrode Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses and their structure compared to one of the synthetic commercial HC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) allowed to assess the decomposition process throughout the selected temperature scan. The obtained algae-derived HC is tested as anodic material for Na-ion battery, investigating the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the electrochemical behaviour. Their performances are compared with respect to a commercial synthetic HC active material. The results allow to consider algae as an environmentally benign and sustainable high added-value material for the production of HC anodes for Na-ion batteries. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]noneGibertini E.; Liberale F.; Dossi C.; Binda G.; Mattioli B.; Bettinetti R.; Maspero A.; Fiore M.; Ruffo R.; Magagnin L.Gibertini, E.; Liberale, F.; Dossi, C.; Binda, G.; Mattioli, B.; Bettinetti, R.; Maspero, A.; Fiore, M.; Ruffo, R.; Magagnin, L