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Battery Materials Synthesis

Four macro images of electrode materials of varying shapes and textures.

NREL uses electron energy loss spectroscopy to study electrode material at the nanometer scale.

Macro image of globular-shaped electrode materials.

NREL's optimization of mechanical properties of composite silicon- polyacrylonitrilec anodes (pictured) has demonstrated stable performance over hundreds of cycles.

Macro images of spherical electrode, with inset showing small version of entire sphere with dark center and diffused white edges.

Cyclized-polymer coating (pictured) gives the electrode the capability to accommodate volumetric change.

Macro images of spherical electrode, with inset showing small versions of entire sphere with light center and diffused edges.

NREL has successfully synthesized silicon (Si) nanoparticles using a radiofrequency-enhanced plasma reactor and Si nanocrystalline thin-film.

NREL's development of inexpensive, high-energy-density electrode materials is challenging but critical to the success of electric-drive vehicle (EDV) batteries. The greater energy and power requirements and system integration demands of EDVs pose significant challenges to energy storage technologies. Making these materials durable enough that batteries last more than 10 years is essential. These materials go through thousands of charge/discharge cycles, while being exposed to the harsh chemical, thermal, and mechanical environment found inside a battery cell. NREL researchers work hand-in-hand with industry partners to address these challenges with new materials and processes for a full range of batteries designed to power tomorrow's energy-efficient vehicles.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become automakers' preferred EDV energy storage option, capable of delivering the energy and power density required by hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) in a relatively small, lightweight package. While Li-ion-equipped vehicles are already rolling off car lots, NREL researchers continue to explore refinements and new options, such as lithium-air, magnesium-ion, and solid-state technologies. NREL's energy storage materials research concentrates primarily on the composition and coating of electrodes as well as thermal interface materials—including greases, phase-change materials, thermoplastics, and graphite—to maximize battery performance.

Coatings

Unstable interphases and surface side-reactions between organic electrolytes and electrode surfaces can trigger interface instability and durability problems in batteries. These issues typically shorten battery lifespan and diminish reliability.

NREL research has achieved greater battery stability through both conventional and innovative methods. The lab's introduction of metal oxide and hybrid inorganic-organic surface modification via atomic layer deposition has provided innovative and cost-effective methods to mitigate lifespan and reliability concerns.

Atomic Layer Deposition

NREL and its partners have developed a breakthrough method for applying coatings directly on as-formed composite electrodes using atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD is the current state-of-the-art method for applying conformal thin film coatings to highly textured surfaces. These coatings have been shown to enhance cycle life and abuse tolerance in Li-ion batteries. Improvements in performance can be traced back to mitigation of deleterious side reactions and prevention of mechanical degradation. These coatings must be optimized to match electrode material and thickness.

Advanced Manufacturing

Building on the success of optimized electrode coatings in improving Li-ion battery performance, NREL is working with university collaborators to develop a new electrode coating method that transfers the ALD process into an in-line, roll-to-roll format that can be integrated with manufacturing methods.

Electrodes/Anodes

Significant advances in battery energy density and rate capability are needed for electric-drive vehicles to offer the reliability, durability, and safety demanded by a larger market. Materials with high energy densities often fracture, degrade, and rapidly lose capacity due to expansion and contraction when the battery is charged or discharged at a high rate. NREL has managed to increase battery lifespan, rate capability, capacity, and safety through the development of novel nanostructured electrode materials.

Nanotechnology

Scientists at NREL have created crystalline nanotubes and nanorods to address Li-ion battery thermal management, weight, and conductivity issues. NREL's high-performance, binder-free, carbon-nanotube-based electrodes can optimize battery charging, while reducing swelling and shrinking that can shorten electrode lifespan. An array of custom-built apparatus makes it possible for NREL to conduct nanostructured synthesis research.

Metal Oxide Anodes

Transition metal oxides are capable of a significantly larger reversible capacity than commercial-grade graphite. Molybdenum oxide can produce a stable capacity nearly three times that of conventional graphite anodes. Iron oxide is among the most abundant and least expensive elements, and can outperform many other materials when nanoparticles are used in electrodes produced with NREL's innovative fabrication techniques.

Contacts

For more information on NREL's energy storage material research activities, contact Chunmei Ban, 303-384-6504, or Robert Tenent, 303-384-6775.