MichaelThackeray AlmadenInstitute2009

Lithium-Ion Batteries:
Challenges and Opportunities in an
Evolving Lithium Economy
presented by
Michael M. Thackeray
Almaden Institute 2009
Scalable Energy Storage: Beyond Lithium Ion
San Jose, California
August 26 - 27, 2009
Acknowledgments
 Chris Johnson (ANL), Sun-Ho Kang (ANL), Vilas Pol (ANL),
Lynn Trahey (ANL/NU), Jack Vaughey (ANL), Khalil Amine (ANL),
Mali Balasubramanian (APS-ANL), Swati Pol (APS-ANL),
Harold Kung (NU), Dongwon Shin (NU), Chris Wolverton (NU)
 Department of Energy
• Vehicle Technologies Program
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Energy Frontier Research Center
Center for Electrical Energy Storage: Tailored Interfaces
Office of Basic Energy Sciences
This presentation has been created by UChicago Argonne, LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory (“Argonne”).
Argonne, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, is operated under Contract No. DE-AC0206CH11357. The U.S. Government retains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable
worldwide license in said article to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform
publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government.
2
The First Oil Crisis (mid 1970’s)
 Non aqueous batteries - sodium or lithium?
 High temperature systems (300-450C) already established
 Na / -Al2O3 / S
Chloride Silent Power, British Rail (UK)
Brown Boveri (Germany)
 LiAl / LiCl, KCl / FeSx
Argonne National Laboratory (USA)
 Oil crisis sparked the development of the sodium-metal
chloride ‘Zebra’ battery (1978)
 Na / -Al2O3 , NaAlCl4/ MCl2 (M=Ni, Fe) CSIR
(South Africa)
Courtesy of www.copyright-free-pictures.org.uk
3
Theoretical and Practical Properties of Batteries
(theoretical values based on the masses of active electrode and electrolyte components)
System
Negative
electrode
Positive
electrode
OCV
(V)
Th. Cap
(Ah/kg)
Th En.
(Wh/kg)
Pr. En.
(Wh/kg)
Lead – acid
Pb
PbO2
2.1
83
171
20-40
Ni-Cd
Cd
NiOOH
1.35
162
219
40-60
Ni-MH
MH alloy
NiOOH
1.35
~178
~240
60-80
Na-S (350C)
Na
S
2.1-1.78 (2.0)
377
754
120-150
Na-MCl2
(300C)
Na
NiCl2
2.58
305
787
80-100
Li-Ion
LixC6
Li1-xMO2
4.2-3.0 (4.0)
95
(for x=0.6)
380
150-200
3.3-2.0 (2.6)
~340
~884
~150
(M=Co, Ni, Mn)
Li-polymer
Li
VOx
 Lithium-ion systems offer the best near-term opportunities
 What lies ‘beyond lithium-ion’?
4
Ragone Plot of Various
Electrochemical Energy-Storage Devices
Specific Energy (Wh/kg)
Range
1000
6
4
IC Engine
Li-Air?
Fuel Cells
Li-Ion
100 h
2
100
6
4
2
Li-ion
Na/NiCl2
Ni-MH
Lead-Acid
10
10 hh
Ni-MH
Lead-Acid
HEV goal
10
Capacitors
6
4
2
1
100
EV goal (EoL)
PHEV-40 (EoL)
PHEV-10 (EoL)
Capacitors
1
1 hh
0.1h h
0.1
101
36
36 ss
10 2
3.6 s
10 3
10 4
Specific Power (W/kg)
Acceleration
Source: Amended from Product data sheets
5
The Sodium-Nickel Chloride Battery
Cell Configuration:
Operating Temperature:
Cell Reaction:






Na / -Al2O3, NaAlCl4 / NiCl2
300 C
2.58 V
2 Na + NiCl2
Ni + 2 NaCl
Cells are assembled in the discharged state
The close-packed Cl- lattice provides a stable framework for Na+ and M2+ ions
The ‘insertion – displacement’ reaction is 100% efficient
The volume expansion of the Cl- array during discharge = 45.6%
Cells fail in short circuit mode – excellent for enhancing safety
Excellent reversibility achieved through an electronically conducting
M matrix, and through control of M grain growth at 300 C
 Implications for room temperature reactions? Intermetallic compounds?
Photos: Courtesy of J. Coetzer and J. Sudworth, ‘Out of Africa’
6
The Advent of Li-Ion Batteries
(Sony Corporation - 1991)
eLixC6
(Anode)
Li+
LiCoO2
(Cathode)
 Lithium insertion/extraction reactions
 Highly energetic (4 V) systems
 Inherently unsafe; individual cells are protected from overcharge by
costly electronic circuitry
 Flammable electrolytes
 scientific and technological motivation to discover and study
alternative electrodes and electrolytes
 Cell voltage can be tailored by selection of anode and cathode materials
7
Impact of Li-Ion Batteries
 ~$8-10 billion market created over the past 18 years
 Applications:
 Consumer electronics and communications
 Transportation (‘Li economy’ driver)
Hybrid-electric vehicles ‘and plug-in’ HEVs
Pure electric vehicles – longer term viability
 Implantable medical devices
Neuro-stimulators, pacemakers, defibrillators
 Aerospace, defense, power tools, toys
 Lithium batteries have become a strategic commodity
in U.S. energy security
8
Li-Ion Batteries: 3.5 – 4 V Cathode Materials
Ordered
Rocksalt
Layered
LiMO2
(M=Co, Ni, Mn)
Spinel
LiM2O4
(M=Mn)
Olivine
LiMPO4
(M=Fe, Mn)
• Capacity limited to ~ 0.5 Li per M atom
(i.e., ~140 mAh/g)
• Co4+ and Ni4+ unstable/highly oxidizing
• Structure destabilized at low Li content
• Layered LiMnO2 transforms to spinel
•
•
•
•
•
Capacity limited to <0.5 Li/Mn at 4 V
Robust M2O4 spinel framework; 3-D channels
High rate capability
Jahn-Teller (Mn3+) distortion at 3 V
Solubility problems at high potentials
•
•
•
•
•
Capacity limited to 1 Li/Fe; P inactive
Excellent structural and thermal stability
1-D channels
Poor electronic and Li-ion conductivity
Poor packing density
9
Li-Ion Batteries: Anode Materials
 Carbon
 Graphite: <100 mV vs.
 Moderate capacity (372 mAh/g)
 Highly reactive, unsafe, SEI necessary
Li0
LiC6
 Metals, Semi-metals and intermetallic compounds





Al, Si, CoSn, Cu6Sn5: <0.5 V vs. Li0
High gravimetric/volumetric capacities
LiAl
Large volume expansion on reaction with lithium
Reactive, SEI necessary
Greatest opportunity and challenge
 Metal Oxides




Li4Ti5O12 (Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4) Spinel: 1.5 V vs. Li0
Low capacity (175 mAh/g)
Very high rate capability
Li7Ti5O12
Stable in nanoparticulate form



10
Hazards of Highly Energetic Batteries
 Despite the good statistical safety record of batteries in consumer
electronics products, the occasional serious mishap does occur.
 A significant number of recalls of lithium ion batteries
 Millions of passengers fly every month
 Millions of batteries fly every day
 In air travel, it only takes one
2006 Philadelphia
UPS flight
 So far, we’ve been lucky
– lithium batteries
to blame?
During boarding, a laptop
started burning in an
overhead bin. The fire was
extinguished on ramp.
Dan Halberstein
Lithium Battery Public Awareness Initiative
U.S. Department of Transportation,
25th Annual Battery Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, March 17-19, 2008
11
USABC HEV Battery Goals
Barriers
Power Assist HEV
Min.
Max.
Discharge Power, kW
25 (10s)
40 (10s)
Regen Power, kW
20 (10s)
35 (10s)
Available Energy, kWh
0.3
0.5
Available Energy, Wh/kg
7.5
12.5
Battery Mass, kg
60
Calendar Life, years
5
Operating Temperature, oC
Cold Cranking Power*, kW
Selling Price**, $
-30 to 52
5
7
500
800
*Three 2s pulses at -30oC with 10s rest between pulses
**Price based on 100,000 batteries/year production level
12
Barriers
Barriers
PHEV Battery Goals
Short-Term
Long-Term
SUV
Car
Discharge Power, kW
45
38
Regen Power, kW
30
25
Available Energy, kWh (Charge-Depleting)
Available Energy, Wh/kg
3.4
~80
11.6
~140
Available Energy, kWh (Charge-Sustaining)
0.5
0.3
Range, miles
10
40
Battery Mass, kg
60
120
Calendar Life, years
15
15
Operating Temperature, oC
-30 to 52
Cold Cranking Power*, kW
7
Selling Price**, $
1,700
3,400
* Three 2s pulses at -30oC with 10s rest between pulses **Price based on 100,000 batteries/year production level
13
USABC EV Battery Goals
Barriers
Barr.
Parameter of Fully Burdened
System
Minimum Goals for
Long Term
Commercialization
Long-Term Goals
Power Density, W/L
460
600
Specific Power (80% DOD), W/kg
300
400
Energy Density, (C/3) Wh/L
230
300
Specific Energy, (C/3) Wh/kg
150
200
Specific Power:Energy Ratio
2:1
2:1
Battery Mass, kg
267
200
Normal Recharge Time, hr
6
3-6
Operating Temperature, oC
-40 to +50
-40 to +85
1000
1000
10
10
<150
<6000
100
<4000
Cycle Life – 80% DOD (Cycles)
Life, years
Selling Price – 25000 units, $/kWh
@ 40 kWh, $
14
Major Challenges
 Improve the energy and safety of Li-ion cells,
without compromising power
 suppress oxygen release from high capacity metal oxide cathodes
on charge at high potentials
 find alternative anodes to graphite that provide a
high electrochemical capacity at 0.5 – 1.0 V vs. Li
 lithium alloys/intermetallic compounds, metal oxides?
 Exploit nano-particulate electrodes
 access intrinsic capacity (energy) of electrodes at high rates
 LiFePO4, Li4Ti5O12; high potential metal oxides?
 stabilize electrode surfaces (ANL-NU-UIUC EFRC)
 find alternative electrolytes and additives
 find effective redox shuttles to prevent overcharge
15
Designing High Capacity and Safe Electrode
Structures for High Voltage Lithium-Ion Cells
Argonne’s Approach:
 Use two-component ‘composite’ structures in which an
electrochemically inactive Li2MnO3 component stabilizes an
electrochemically active layered or spinel component
 layered-layered systems: xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2
 layered-spinel systems: xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiM2O4
 M = Mn, Ni, Co
 focus on manganese-rich systems (cost advantage)
16
Structural Compatibility of
Li2MnO3 and Layered LiMO2 Compounds
Li2MnO3
(M4+)
LiMO2 (M = Mn, Ni, Co)
(M3+ or M4+/M2+)
MO6
octahedra
 = Li
 Li2MnO3 (Li2OMnO2) is electrochemically inactive with respect to
lithium insertion/extraction, whereas LiMO2 is active
 Strategy: Embed inactive Li2MnO3 component within layered
LiMO2 structure to stabilize the electrode and to reduce the oxygen
activity at the surface of charged (delithiated) electrode particles
17
Use Structural Units (instead of ion dopants) to
Stabilize Electrochemically–Active Materials
Electrodes
r-MnO2
Al
Na
O

-MnO2
Solid Electrolytes
I
N
Ag
Na+ conduction plane
inactive
-MnO2: Intergrowth of -MnO2
and ramsdellite-MnO2
-Al2O3
spinel
block
Na+ conduction plane
inactive
-Al2O3
Li2O
spinel
block
Na+ conduction plane
Li2O-stabilized -MnO2:
0.15Li2OMnO2
-alumina, Na2O11Al2O3
44AgI3(C11H22N3)I3
18
Compositional Phase Diagram:
xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 Electrodes
Mn0.5Ni0.5O2 (Mn4+; Ni4+)
-0.33Li2O
(Mn0.67Ni0.33O2; Mn4+; Ni4+)
(0.33Li2MnO30.67Mn0.5Ni0.5O2)
LixMn1-yNiyO2 tie-line
(0x2)
closepacked
planes
Li2MnO3 (Mn4+)
X=0.67
X=0.33
X=0.50
 Li2O is removed from the
Li2MnO3 component at high
potentials (>4.5 V)
LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 (Mn4+; Ni2+)
(LiMn0.67Ni0.33O2; Mn3.5+; Ni2+)
xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 tie-line
 Mn3+ concentration at the end of
discharge is tailored by the Li2MnO3
content in the parent electrode (x) to
suppress the Jahn-Teller distortion
U.S. Pat. 6,677,082 (2004); U.S. Pat. 6,680,143 (2004)
Li2Mn0.5Ni0.5O2 (Mn2+; Ni2+)
(Li2Mn0.67Ni0.33O2; Mn2+; Ni2+)
Johnson et al., Electrochem. Comm. (2004)
19
Li/0.3Li2MnO
O2be used
Irreversible
capacity
can
3●0.7LiMn
0.5Ni0.5
350
to offset SEI formation at anode
300
236
250
200
150
Cell Voltage V vs. Li
Specific Capacity (mAhg)
Electrochemistry of a
Li/0.3Li2MnO30.7LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 Cell (C/3)
Charge
Average
Mn valence in
Discharge
discharged state = 3.54
100
4.8-2.75 V
0.25 mA/cm2
50 °C
50
0
0
5
10
90% of
theoretical
value
6
Cycle 40
5
262
mAh/g
4
3
2
1
0
0 25 50 75 100 125150175200 225250
Specific Capacity (mAh/g)
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Cycle Number
Johnson et al., Electrochem. Comm. (2004)
20
Safety Characteristics
xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2 Cathode (M=Mn, Ni, Co)
Thermal Stability (DSC)
Heat flow, W/g
40
30
20
Argonne cathode
charged to 4.6 V
H=650j/g
Li[Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05]O2
charged to 4.2 V
H=1550j/g
10
0
150
200
250
300
Temperature (C)
Courtesy of K. Amine, Argonne National Laboratory
21
The Challenge of Surface Stabilization
 Charging high-capacity xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2 electrodes to a high
potential (>4.4 V) damages the electrode surface and reduces the rate
capability of the electrode:
(1) LiMO2  MO2- + Li+ + /2 O2 + (1+2)e
(2) Li2MnO3  MnO2 + 2 Li+ + O2 + 2e
 Oxygen loss, particularly through process (1), increases M cation
concentration at the electrode surface that restricts Li diffusion
and rate capability?
 LixNi1-xO rock salt structure at surface of Li1-xNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2
 How does one prevent corrosion and cation disorder at the surface
to allow high rate discharge and charge? (Thrust of EFRC)
22
Fluorination
 Fluorination of layered xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2 electrodes (e.g., LiF, AlF3 Sun et al., Amine et al.) is known to improve capacity and cycling stability.
 F- ions within the bulk or at the surface? – gradient?
Alternative Approach
 Use mildly acidic solutions containing fluorine to form robust oxy-fluoride
(partially reduced) surface on electrode particles lowering oxygen activity.
 Use soluble salts with stabilizing cations and anions, e.g., (NH4)3AlF6;
NH4PF6; NH4BF4 in water, methanol, etc
 Molarity of solutions ~2.5 x 10-3 M; pH  6.0 - 6.5
 pH can be varied to tailor stability and first-cycle irreversibility loss
23
Relative Rate Capability: Li-ion cells
C6/0.1Li2MnO30.9LiMn0.256Ni0.372Co0.372O2
200
Capacity / mAh g
-1

0.1
mA/cm2
 
0.2
mA/cm2
150

100
4.5-3.0 V
0

0.5
mA/cm2


1
mA/cm2
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Sample D
5
10
0.1
mA/cm2
 
1
mA/cm2

2
mA/cm2

Sample A
untreated sample
5
mA/cm2
~C/1 rate
15
20
25
Cycle Number
 Fluorinated electrodes provide higher capacity, lower impedance and
improved rate: ~175 mAh/g at C/1 rate
 Insufficient energy/power for 40-mile PHEVs.
 Yardstick for PHEV: 200 mAh/g at a C/1 rate, average 3.5 V (or higher)
Kang et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. (2008)
24
Integrated Olivine-Metal Oxide
Structures/Surfaces?
 Olivine (LiFePO4) and Spinel (LiMn2O4) both have AB2O4
formulae with the A cations in tetrahedral sites and the B cations
in octahedral sites
 In LiFePO4, the P cations are in tetrahedral sites
 In LiMn2O4, the Li cations are in tetrahedral sites
 Olivine has a hexagonally close packed structure
 Spinel has a cubic close packed structure
 Relatively small difference in the d-spacings of the close-packed
layers in LiFePO4 and LiMn2O4
 Can we synthesize ‘olivine-spinel’ composite structures,
‘olivine-layered’ structures or other close-packed
phosphate structures to stabilize ccp spinel and layered
metal oxide bulk structures and/or surfaces?
25
Hypothetical LiNiVO4 Spinel – LiNiPO4 Olivine Intergrowth
Spinel LiNiVO4
ccp O layers
tetrahedral V5+
octahedral Li+, Ni2+
Olivine LiNiPO4
tetrahedral P5+
hcp O layers
octahedral Li+, Ni2+
 In principle, a spinel-olivine intergrowth structure seems possible
 Experiment shows otherwise: CBED patterns and EDS signals
(Ni/V or Ni/P) suggest that discrete olivine and spinel phases exist
 Can Li-M-PO4 films provide effective surface protection on metal oxides?
Vaughey et al., Argonne National Laboratory
26
Li-M-PO4 surface treatment (e.g., M=Ni)
(0.5Li2MnO30.5LiNi0.44Co0.25Mn0.31O2 electrodes in Li half cells)
Cell voltage (V)
 Concept: Use Li-Ni-PO4 as a solid
electrolyte below 5.0 V to protect
surface of xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2
electrode at high potentials
 Sol-gel treatment technique used
 Olivine LiNiPO4, Li3PO4 or defect
Li3PO4, e.g., Li3-2xNixPO4?
 First-principles calculations indicate
a small solid solution range in
Li3-2xMxPO4 materials (Shin, Wolverton
(NU – EFRC))
untreated
4.0
3.0
2.0
C/1
(1.0)
C/3
(0.5)
C/8
(0.2)
C/16
(0.1)
treated
4.0
3.0
C/1
(1.0)
2.0
0
50
C/2
(0.5)
C/5
(0.2)
C/11
(0.1)
100 150 200 250 300
Capacity (mAh/g)
Treated electrodes meet the 200 mAh/g, C/1 rate, 3.5 V average,
capacity/power yardstick for a 40-mile range PHEV at room temperature
Kang et al., Electrochem. Comm. (2009)
Figure 3
27
Playing it Safe
Li4Ti5O12 (Spinel) / Li1+xMn2-xO4 (Spinel) Cells
55 C
13
12
11
10
6C
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
6C
2C - 50C rates
3.0
2.8
2.6
Voltage(V)
Capacity, mAh
14
2.4
55 C
2.2
2.0
2C
5C
10C
20C
30C
40C
50C
1.8
LiMn2O4 vs. Graphite
LiMn2O4 vs. Li4Ti5O12
1.6
1.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
% of 1C Capacity
0
100
200
300
Cycle number




400
500
Before ARC test
After ARC test
Relatively low energy cells (2.5 V)
Outstanding power and cycling stability
Safety is achieved by operating well above the potential of metallic lithium
Being developed for HEV applications
Courtesy of K. Amine and Enerdel
28
TiO2 Anodes?
 Li4Ti5O12 (2Li2O5TiO2) spinel accommodates 3 Li+ ions per
formula unit during its transformation to rock-salt Li7Ti5O12
(Ti4+ to Ti3.4+): relatively low capacity – 175 mAh/g
 TiO2 structures, e.g., anatase, rutile, hollandite and TiO2-B
would be more attractive anodes if, in nanoparticulate form,
they could accommodate lithium reversibly and rapidly to the
rock-salt stoichiometry LiTiO2 (Ti3+), for which the theoretical
capacity is 335 mAh/g.
29
Carbon-Encapsulated TiO2-C Anodes
EDS
XRD
 A single-step, autogenic (solvent-less), and scalable
process has been used to prepare single-phase TiO2
(anatase) nanoparticles encapsulated by an interconnected,
electronically-conducting network of carbon nanoparticles
that also protect the surface.
V. Pol et al., Argonne National Laboratory
30
FESEM and HRTEM images of C-coated TiO2
 The images demonstrate the likelihood that
every TiO2 nanoparticle is completely
encapsulated by a 2-4 nm layer of x-ray
amorphous carbon, the thickness of which
can be tailored by the temperature and length
of the carbon combustion process.
V. Pol, Thackeray et al., Argonne National Laboratory (EFRC)
31
TiO2-C/0.5Li2MnO30.5LiNi0.44Co0.25Mn0.31O2 Cells
 200 mAh/g is delivered by both the TiO2 anode and metal oxide cathode
 Cells provide higher energy than Li-ion cells with Li4Ti5O12 anodes
 The autogenic process can be used to prepare a wide variety of
C-protected nanoparticulate materials; the approach has implications
for advancing the electrochemical properties of both anode and cathode
nano-materials.
V. Pol, Thackeray et al., Argonne National Laboratory (EFRC)
32
Alternative Anodes for Li Cells
Lithium Alloys and Intermetallic Compounds

Metals have dense structures and therefore expand
significantly on reaction with Li, e.g. Al, Si, Sn, Sb
LiAl
Al
+ Li
300 mV
95% Volume
Expansion
(per Al atom)
Fm-3m
Fd-3m, 50% Al in interstitial sites
 Major structural rearrangement on lithium insertion
 Lithium alloys offer significantly higher gravimetric and
volumetric capacities than graphite (372 mAh/g; 820 mAh/ml)
33
Cu6Sn5 Anodes
Cu6Sn5 to Li2CuSn transition
Electrochemistry: Cu6Sn5 vs. Sn
Li
400-200 mV
Cell Capacity (mAh/g)
400
Cu
Sn
Li
Sn (1.2 V - 0.0 V)
350
Cu6Sn5
300
Sn (1.2 V - 0.2 V)
Cu6Sn5 (1.2 V - 0.0 V)
250
Cu6Sn5 (1.2 V - 0.2 V)
200
150
100
Sn
50
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
Cycle Number
21.25 Li + Cu6Sn5  5 Li2+xCu1-xSn + (1+5x) Cu  6 Cu + 5 Li4.25Sn
 Strong structural relationship between Cu6Sn5, Li2CuSn and “Li3Sn” (x=1) exists.
 Li insertion/Cu displacement reaction: Max capacity  600 mAh/g.
 Mimics Na/NiCl2 reaction (100% efficient): 2 Na + NiCl2  2 NaCl + Ni.
 Cells assembled in discharged state; NaCl powder in porous Ni substrate.
 Volume expansion 50-60%.
New approach to electrode design and current collection is required
Kepler et al., Electrochem. and Solid-State Lett. (1999)
34
Electrodeposited Cu6Sn5/Sn on Cu Foam Electrodes
1. As-deposited Cu foam
2. Annealed Cu foam (500 C)
3. Cu6Sn5/Sn on Cu foam
 1. As-deposited Cu-foam is brittle and powdery.
 2. Annealing at 500 C strengthens Cu-foam to Cu foil contact, providing a
sufficiently robust substrate for electrodeposition of Cu and Sn. Overall
porosity maintained.
 3. Morphology maintained after Cu6Sn5/Sn pulsed electrodeposition at -600mV
vs. SCE. Sn concentration varies from ~20% within the porous electrode to
~90% at outermost surfaces.
Trahey et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. (2009)
35
Electrochemistry: Cu6Sn5/Sn on Cu Foam Electrodes
2
1100
(a)
1.8
Charge
Discharge
900
Capacity (mAh/g)
1.6
1.4
Potential (V)
(b)
1000
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
800
700
600
500
400
300
0.4
200
0.2
100
0
0
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Time (h)
25
26
27
28
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
Cycle Number
 Significant improvement in reversible capacity achieved (650 mAh/g vs. 200 mAh/g
for ball-milled Cu6Sn5 samples).
 Results suggest excellent cycling of Sn within a copper-tin matrix electrode.
 Large irreversible capacity drop during early cycles attributed to electrolyte
reactions with high surface area electrode to form passivation layer.
 Abrupt onset of capacity fade after 30 cycles - Li electrode or mechanical failure
of Cu6Sn5/Sn electrode?
Trahey et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. (2009)
36
Beyond Lithium-Ion: Li-Air – The Holy Grail?
Li-ion conducting
electrolyte
O2
O2
Li-containing
anode
Porous C cathode
with catalyst
e.g., MnO2
O2
O2
O2
O2
O2
System
Reaction
OCV Th. Spec. Energy
(V)
(Wh/kg)
Li/O2
2 Li + O2  2 Li2O2
4 Li + O2  2 Li2O
4 Li + O2  2 Li2O
3.1
2.9
2.9
3623 (incl. O)
5204 (incl. O)
11,202 (excl. O)
Lithium-ion
(M=Mn, Ni, Co)
LixC6 + Li1-xMO2  C6 + LiMO2
3.6
~900
Octane
C8H18 + 12.5O2  8CO2 + H2O
-
~13,000 (ex. O)
37
Exploitation of Li2O-Containing Electrodes:
Electrochemical Activation of Li2MnO3
4.5-4.8 V
Li2MnO3 (Li2OMnO2)  MnO2 + 2 Li + ½ O2 (459 mAh/g)
 Net loss is Li2O at 4.5 to 4.8 V – irreversible reaction
 Two Li+ ions removed during electrochemical activation (charge)
 One Li+ ion reinserted into residual MnO2 component:
Li + MnO2  LiMnO2 (229 mAh/g, mass of parent electrode)
 Use surplus Li to load anode: C6, metals or even bare substrate (Li metal)
 Use Li2MnO3 (or xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiMO2, M=Mn, Ni, Co) precursor in
combination with high capacity charged cathodes, particularly where two
electron transfer reactions are possible, e.g., Li1.2V3O8 (372 mAh/g)
38
C6/Li2MnO3Li1.2V3O8 Cells
 Li-O bonds in Li2MnO3 cathode precursor are broken at ~4.5 V vs. Li0
 Li is inserted into C6 anode during charge
 During discharge, Li is inserted charged Li1.2V3O8
and residual MnO2 cathode components
 Implications for Li - O2 cells using MnO2 component as catalyst?
Kang et al., Argonne National Laboratory
39
Alternative High-Li2O Content Precursors
Antifluorite structures
Li2O (Fm-3m)
(a=4.614 Å)
 Li2O: Li - tetrahedral sites
O - face-centered-cubic sites
Li
O
Li5FeO4 (Pbca)
Defect structures
 Li5FeO4: 5Li2OFe2O3 or Li1.25Fe0.25□0.5O
5 Li per Fe atom
 Li6MO4 (M=Mn, Co, Ni):
3Li2OMO or Li1.5M0.25□0.25O
6 Li per M atom
(a=9.218 Å; b=9.213 Å; a=9.159 Å )
Li
Fe
O
cf: Layered Li2MnO3 (Li2O:MnO2)
2 Li per Mn atom
Abundant Li in defect structure provides good Li+ mobility
40
Electrochemical Extraction of Li from Li5FeO4
 4 Li removed from Li5FeO4 (5Li2OFe2O3) in 2 steps at ~3.5 and ~4.0 V
 Slight evidence from XANES data of some Fe3+  Fe4+ oxidation
 predominantly Li2O extraction?
 Composition of delithiated product = “LiFeO2” (Li2OFe2O3)
 Exploit reversibility of the reaction when discharged against O2 electrode
(Li2O content increases in the residual Fe2O3 electrode matrix)
Johnson et al., Argonne National Laboratory
41
XANES Data: Chemical Delithiation of Li5FeO4
decreasing
pre-edge features
no change in edge position
(iron oxidation state)




Li5FeO4 samples chemically delithiated with NO2BF4/acetonitrile solution
No apparent change in Fe3+ oxidation state  Li2O extraction
EXAFS shows evidence of formation of edge-shared Fe-octahedra as x.
Gradual reduction in pre-edge peak height is consistent with conversion from
tetrahedral Fe to octahedral coordination and ultimate ‘LiFeO2’ stoichiometry
S. Pol, M. Balasubramanian et al., APS - Argonne National Laboratory
42
Summary Remarks
 Lithium-ion technology stands to broaden its impact on battery markets.
 Extremely versatile, strategic technology - battery chemistry can be
tailored to suit needs.
 State-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries still compromised by safety, energy,
power, life, operating temperature and cost constraints
 New, structurally-stable materials required:
 Exploitation of high potential metal oxide electrodes (>4.2 V) to
increase energy and power
 Composite cathode structures with high-capacity (layered) /
high-power (spinel) components?
 Nano-particulate metal, semi-metal or intermetallic anodes to replace
graphite - increase both specific- and volumetric capacity?
 Electrode surface protection – use of additives
 Non-flammable electrolytes
 Li-air: the ultimate scientific and engineering challenge?
43