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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

A low-temperature processed environment-friendly full-organic carrier collection layer for polymer solar cells

We constructed a concept of the full-organic carrier collection layer (CCL) used for polymer solar cells. The CCL is composed of dipyrazino[2,3-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexacarbonitrile as hole collection layer (HCL) and chlorine-free solvents (formic acid (FA)) processed 4,7-Diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) as electron collection layer, exhibiting good solubility, and environmental protection. The FA based device shows ideal power conversion efficiency (3.75%), which is higher than that of control device (3.6%). Besides, the HCL shows a different mechanism in hole extraction by functioning as a charge recombination zone for electrons injected from anode and holes extracted from the donor materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

A representative-sandwich model for simultaneously coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal simulation of a lithium-ion cell under quasi-static indentation tests

The safety behavior of lithium-ion batteries under external mechanical crush is a critical concern, especially during large scale deployment. We previously presented a sequentially coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal modeling approach for studying mechanical abuse induced short circuit. Here in this work, we study different mechanical test conditions and examine the interaction between mechanical failure and electrical-thermal responses, by developing a simultaneous coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal model. The present work utilizes a single representative-sandwich (RS) to model the full pouch cell with explicit representations for each individual component such as the active material, current collector, separator, etc. Anisotropic constitutive material models are presented to describe the mechanical properties of active materials and separator. The model predicts accurately the force-strain response and fracture of battery structure, simulates the local failure of separator layer, and captures the onset of short circuit for lithium-ion battery cell under sphere indentation tests with three different diameters. Electrical-thermal responses to the three different indentation tests are elaborated and discussed. Lastly, numerical studies are presented to show the potential impact of test conditions on the electrical-thermal behavior of the cell after the occurrence of short circuit.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Performance of Different Water-Based Binder Formulations for Ni-Rich Cathodes Evaluated in LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 //Graphite Pouch Cells

Water-based processing for lithium-ion battery electrodes is attractive due to its lower manufacturing cost and smaller environmental impact. However, multiple challenges associated with aqueous cathode processing have hindered commercial adoption. Polymer binders are an important component of the electrode, and thus the choice of binders can alter electrode cycling performance significantly. In this work, four different water-based binder combinations are investigated for Ni-rich LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811)-based cathodes, with a focus on the long-term electrochemical performance in practical-format full pouch cells. No additional pH-modulating additives were added to the aqueous cathode slurries, and no protective coatings were present on the cathode or aluminum current collector. Results are compared with the standard PVDF/NMP-based binder/solvent combination, used as a baseline. The influence of water-based binder type on slurry rheology and electrode microstructure are also discussed. All cells made by water-processing had worse rate performance compared to the baseline. However, the cell discharge capacity after 1000 U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) cycles at C/3 charge/discharge rate was comparable to the baseline for two of the water-based cathode formulations (CMC & JSR, and LiPAA), demonstrating the potential viability of aqueous-processed Ni-rich cathodes at a commercial scale.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tape Casting of Thin Electrolyte and Thick Cathode for Halide-Based All-Solid-State Batteries

Most previous studies about halide solid-state electrolytes have used pellets prepared by uniaxial pressing, which is a good approach for materials development but is not suitable for commercialization. Thinner electrolyte layers that can be scaled up to large cell areas are required, and tape casting is a promising approach. It is challenging, however, as halide materials are reactive with most of the conventional solvents used in the process. In this study, solvents with low polarity, such as toluene, are found to be compatible with the Li 3 YBr 6 halide material. A wide variety of candidate binders that are soluble in toluene are studied. MSB1–13 binder is preferred, based on the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the tape. Electrolyte tapes (<70 μ m) are successfully cast on Al substrates, using 2 wt% binder. The resulting room temperature ionic conductivity is 2 × 10 −4 S cm −1 . Two composite cathodes including active material (LiFePO 4 or LiNi 0.82 Mn 0.07 Co 0.11 O 2 ) and 1 to 1.5 wt% MSB1–13 are tape cast as proof-of-concept for a scalable cell fabrication approach. A LiFePO 4 cell shows good retention at 25 °C. The performance of NMC cells with tape electrolyte or pellet electrolyte is similar. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tape casting halide-based electrolytes and cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Influence of Calendering on the Electrochemical Performance of LiNi 0.9 Mn 0.05 Al 0.05 O 2 Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Cells

Electrode calendering is a necessary process used in industry to improve the volumetric capacity of lithium-ion batteries. However, calendering high-nickel cathodes leads to electrode particle pulverization, raising concerns of a reduced cycle life due to parasitic side reactions. We present here an investigation of the impact of calendering on the morphology and electrochemical performance of the cobalt-free layered oxide cathode LiNi 0.9 Mn 0.05 Al 0.05 O 2 (NMA-90). We find that secondary particle pulverization and fusion simultaneously occur at sufficiently high pressures. The initial surface area of the cathode is shown to increase with the degree of calendering, despite the higher likelihood of secondary particle fusion. Long-term cycling of full coin cells assembled with the NMA-90 cathode and the graphite anode indicates that cells with higher degrees of cathode calendering exhibit lower capacity fade compared to uncalendered cathodes. Hybrid pulse-power tests demonstrate that the usable capacity range of cells with calendered cathodes far exceeds those with uncalendered cells after long-term cycling. The improved capacity retention and pulse-power performance are attributed to the enhanced mechanical properties of the electrode after calendering that prevents loss of the primary particle contact during long-term cycling. As a result, we find that calendering high-nickel NMA-90 to industrially relevant densities does not have a detrimental effect on capacity fade, marking an important step toward commercial adoption.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Method development for thermal analyses testing on Reillex HPQ resin using the advanced reactive system screening tool (ARSST)

Reillex™ HPQ resin was developed by Los Alamos Laboratory and Reilly Industries Inc. in an effort to increase safety and process efficiency during the recovery and purification of plutonium. Ionac™ A-641, another strong base macroporous anion exchange resin used in the nuclear industry, was known to undergo a runaway reaction in hot nitric acid solutions. Because of this, an extensive amount of thermal analyses testing on the Reillex™ HPQ resin in SRNL was performed in 1999-2001 prior to use. A report on the thermal stability qualification of the Reillex™ HPQ resin in 8M (35%) and 12M (53%) HNO 3 was reported in 2000. In 2001, the reactivity of Reillex™ HPQ resin in 14.4M (64%) HNO 3 was evaluated. In January of 2001, thermal stability scoping tests were performed on irradiated Reillex™ HPQ resin in 14.4M (64%) HNO 3 (as a worst case scenario) and the results sent to Fauske and Associates to calculate a rupture disk size for the HB-Line resin column. A technical report by Fauske and Associates was issued in February 2001 recommending a 2.0” vent line with a rupture disk set pressure of 60 psig. This calculation was based on ARSST thermal analyses scoping tests at SRNL in which 4 grams of dried resin and 6.0 grams of 64% nitric acid in a 10 gram test cell, produced a maximum pressure rate (dP/dt) of 720 psi/min (12 psi/sec) and a maximum temperature of 250 °C. In 2015, a new batch of Reillex™ HPQ resin was manufactured by Vertellus Industries. A test sample of the resin was sent to SRNL to perform acceptance and qualification thermal stability testing using the ARSST. During these tests, method development was performed to ensure that a representative resin to acid ratios were used while running the tests in the ARSST. Fauske and Associates recommended to either use a full test cell representative of the HB-Line column or a 10 gram sample in the test cell that was representative of the ratios of resin to nitric acid in the actual HB-Line column. An observation was made during method development testing that the 4 grams of resin to 6 grams of 64% acid ratio used in 2001 to determine the rupture disk size did not entirely wet the resin and was not representative of the actual HB-Line column. The results of this study raised questions as to whether the ratio of 4 grams of resin to 6 grams of 64% nitric acid recommended by Fauske and Associates in 2001 was the correct ratio.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2008

Algorithm for Wavefront Sensing Using an Extended Scene

A recently conceived algorithm for processing image data acquired by a Shack-Hartmann (SH) wavefront sensor is not subject to the restriction, previously applicable in SH wavefront sensing, that the image be formed from a distant star or other equivalent of a point light source. That is to say, the image could be of an extended scene. (One still has the option of using a point source.) The algorithm can be implemented in commercially available software on ordinary computers. The steps of the algorithm are the following: 1. Suppose that the image comprises M sub-images. Determine the x,y Cartesian coordinates of the centers of these sub-images and store them in a 2xM matrix. 2. Within each sub-image, choose an NxN-pixel cell centered at the coordinates determined in step 1. For the ith sub-image, let this cell be denoted as si(x,y). Let the cell of another subimage (preferably near the center of the whole extended-scene image) be designated a reference cell, denoted r(x,y). 3. Calculate the fast Fourier transforms of the sub-sub-images in the central NxN portions (where N < N and both are preferably powers of 2) of r(x,y) and si(x,y). 4. Multiply the two transforms to obtain a cross-correlation function Ci(u,v), in the Fourier domain. Then let the phase of Ci(u, v) constitute a phase function, phi(u,v). 5. Fit u and v slopes to phi (u,v) over a small u,v subdomain. 6. Compute the fast Fourier transform, Si(u,v) of the full NxN cell si(x,y). Multiply this transform by the u and phase slopes obtained in step 4. Then compute the inverse fast Fourier transform of the product. 7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 in an iteration loop, cumulating the u and slopes, until a maximum iteration number is reached or the change in image shift becomes smaller than a predetermined tolerance. 8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for the cells of all other sub-images.

Sidick, Erkin↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design Tool for Estimating Adsorbent Hydrogen Storage System Characteristics for Light-Duty Fuel Cell Vehicles

This work combines materials development with hydrogen storage technology advancements to address onboard hydrogen storage challenges in light-duty vehicle applications. These systems are comprised of the vehicle requirements design space, balance of plant requirements, storage system components, and materials engineering culminating in the development of an Adsorbent System Design Tool that serves as a preprocessor to the storage system and vehicle-level models created within the Hydrogen Storage Engineering Center of Excellence. Computational and experimental efforts were integrated to evaluate, design, analyze, and scale potential hydrogen storage systems and their supporting components against the Department of Energy 2020 and Ultimate Technical Targets for Hydrogen Storage Systems for Light Duty Vehicles. Ultimately, the Adsorbent System Design Tool was created to assist material developers in assessing initial design parameters that would be required to estimate the performance of the hydrogen storage system once integrated with the full fuel cell system.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comparative Analysis of Hotspot Stress Endurance in Pristine and Thermal Cycled Prestressed Glass–Glass Photovoltaic Modules

Hotspots pose a significant long-term reliability challenge in photovoltaic (PV) modules that can have a detrimental impact on the efficiency, safety, and financial viability of a PV system. This paper aims to evaluate the endurance of hotspot stress in pristine and prestressed glass–glass (GG) modules. The accelerated prestressing was conducted for 600 thermal cycles (TC600) to represent decades of field exposure. GG modules are quickly becoming an alternative to the traditional glass–backsheet (GB) modules that have been the industry standard. Unlike other conventional studies that subject only pristine modules to hotspot stress, this paper evaluates the performance of an accelerated/simulated field-aged GG module (using TC600) and a pristine GG module. Pre- and post-characterizations were performed before and after each test to determine changes in electrical performance and observe any defects in GG modules. During the hotspot test, an approximately 200 °C maximum cell temperature was observed with a cell shading of 25% (the worst-case shading ratio). After the hotspot test, electroluminescence imaging indicated that most cells in the prestressed GG module exhibited severe damage whereas no significant defects were evident in the pristine GG module where the prestressed GG module degraded 8.2% and the pristine GG module degraded 1.5% in maximum power. These findings are critical for the industry, considering that GG bifacial modules will dominate the market.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Chemical stability and long-term cell performance of low-cobalt, Ni-Rich cathodes prepared by aqueous processing for high-energy Li-Ion batteries

Cobalt content in Li-ion battery cathodes has become a top concern due to its price volatility and limited source availability. Low-cobalt, Ni-rich active materials are promising candidates for next-generation cathodes due to their high capacities, and water-based processing of these materials can further reduce both cost and environmental impact. We systematically evaluated the water compatibility of four different LiNi x Mn 1-x-y Co y O 2 (NMC) powders with increasing nickel contents. Comprehensive characterization verified there is no major change to their bulk structures, and only slight surface modifications related to the removal of contaminant species. For the first time, we demonstrate that LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC 811) cathodes can be formulated in water and cycled 1000 times in full pouch cells with excellent capacity retention (~70% compared to ~76% for NMP-processed cells). When implemented in future battery production lines, aqueous processing of Ni-rich NMC will simultaneously enable cost reductions and higher cell energy densities.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Radiation Tolerant Electronics and Digital Processing for the Phase-1 Read-out Upgrade of the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeters

The ATLAS Liquid Argon calorimeters are designed and built to study proton-proton collisions produced at the LHC at centre-of-mass energies up to 14 TeV. Liquid argon (LAr) sampling calorimeters are employed for all electromagnetic calorimetry in the pseudorapidity region |η|<3.2, and for hadronic calorimetry in the region from |η|=1.5 to |η|=4.9. Although the nominal LHC experimental programme is still in progress, an upgrade of the read-out electronics is being launched to cope with luminosities of up to 3x10{sup 34} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1}, which are beyond the original design by a factor of 3. An improved spatial granularity of the trigger primitives is therefore proposed in order to improve the identification performance for trigger signatures, like electrons, photons, tau leptons, jets, total and missing energy, at high background rejection rates. For the upgrade Phase-1 in 2018, new LAr Trigger Digitizer Boards (LTDB) are being designed to receive higher granularity signals, digitize them on detector and send them via fast optical links to a new LAr digital processing system (LDPS). The LDPS applies a digital filtering and identifies significant energy depositions in each trigger channel. The refined trigger primitives are then transmitted to the first level trigger system to extract improved trigger signatures. The read-out of the trigger signals will process 34000 so-called Super Cells at every LHC bunch-crossing at a frequency of 40 MHz. The new LTDB on-detector electronics is designed to be radiation tolerant in order to be operated for the remaining live-time of the ATLAS detector up to a total luminosity of 3000 fb{sup -1}. For the analog-to-digital conversion (12-bit ADC at 40 MSPS), the data serialization and the fast optical link (5.44 Gb/s) custom components have been developed. They have been qualified for the expected radiation environment of a total ionization dose of 1.3 kGy and a hadron fluence of 6 x 10{sup 13} h/cm{sup 2} with energies above 20 MeV. For the digital components like the ADC, cross-sections for single event effects have been determined. This talk will present R and D results from tests of the radiation tolerant components, the fast data processing electronics and prototypes of the LTDB and LDPS boards. First experience from a Demonstrator setup will be reported, in which about 1/10 of the full Super Cell readout will be equipped with prototype versions of the LTDB and LDPS boards. The Demonstrator will be operated in parallel to the regular ATLAS trigger read-out during the upcoming LHC run. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2012

Development of a Robust and Efficient Parallel Solver for Unsteady Turbomachinery Flows

The traditional design and analysis practice for advanced propulsion systems relies heavily on expensive full-scale prototype development and testing. Over the past decade, use of high-fidelity analysis and design tools such as CFD early in the product development cycle has been identified as one way to alleviate testing costs and to develop these devices better, faster and cheaper. In the design of advanced propulsion systems, CFD plays a major role in defining the required performance over the entire flight regime, as well as in testing the sensitivity of the design to the different modes of operation. Increased emphasis is being placed on developing and applying CFD models to simulate the flow field environments and performance of advanced propulsion systems. This necessitates the development of next generation computational tools which can be used effectively and reliably in a design environment. The turbomachinery simulation capability presented here is being developed in a computational tool called Loci-STREAM [1]. It integrates proven numerical methods for generalized grids and state-of-the-art physical models in a novel rule-based programming framework called Loci [2] which allows: (a) seamless integration of multidisciplinary physics in a unified manner, and (b) automatic handling of massively parallel computing. The objective is to be able to routinely simulate problems involving complex geometries requiring large unstructured grids and complex multidisciplinary physics. An immediate application of interest is simulation of unsteady flows in rocket turbopumps, particularly in cryogenic liquid rocket engines. The key components of the overall methodology presented in this paper are the following: (a) high fidelity unsteady simulation capability based on Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) in conjunction with second-order temporal discretization, (b) compliance with Geometric Conservation Law (GCL) in order to maintain conservative property on moving meshes for second-order time-stepping scheme, (c) a novel cloud-of-points interpolation method (based on a fast parallel kd-tree search algorithm) for interfaces between turbomachinery components in relative motion which is demonstrated to be highly scalable, and (d) demonstrated accuracy and parallel scalability on large grids (approx 250 million cells) in full turbomachinery geometries.

West, Jeff↗
DOE OSTI2021

In Situ Synthesis of Graphene-Coated Silicon Monoxide Anodes from Coa-Derived Humic Acid for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon monoxide (SiO) is attaining extensive interest amongst silicon-based materials due to its high capacity and long cycle life; however, its low intrinsic electrical conductivity and poor coulombic efficiency strictly limit its commercial applications. Here low-cost coal-derived humic acid (HA) is used as a feedstock to synthesize in-situ graphene-coated disproportionated SiO (D-SiO@G) anode with a facile method. HRTEM and XRD confirm the well-coated graphene layers on an SiO surface. Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) and X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) spectra analysis indicate that the graphene coating effectively hinders the side-reactions between the electrolyte and SiO particles . As a result, the D-SiO@G anode presents an initial discharge capacity of 1937.6 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 and an initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 78.2%. High reversible capacity (1023 mAh g -1 at 2.0 A g -1 ), excellent cycling performance ( 72.4% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g -1 ), and rate capability (774 mAh g -1 at 5 A g -1 ) results are substantial. Full coin cells assembled with LiFePO 4 electrodes and D-SiO@G electrodes display impressive rate performance. These results indicate a promising potential for practical use in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Pitch Carbon-coated Ultrasmall Si Nanoparticle Lithium-ion Battery Anodes Exhibiting Reduced Reactivity with Carbonate-based Electrolyte

Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have the potential for higher energy density compared to conventionally used graphite-based LIB anodes. However, silicon anodes exhibit poor cycle and calendar lifetimes due to mechanical instabilities and high chemical and electrochemical reactivity with the carbonate-based electrolytes that are typically used in LIBs. In this work, we synthesize a pitch carbon-coated silicon nanoparticle composite active material for LIB anodes that exhibits reduced chemical reactivity with carbonate-based electrolytes compared to an uncoated silicon anode. Silicon primary particle sizes less than 10 nm diameter minimize micro-scale mechanical degradation of the anode composite, while conformal coatings of pitch carbon minimize the parasitic reactions between the silicon and the electrolyte. When matched with a high voltage NMC622 (LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ) cathode, the pitch carbon-coated silicon anode retains approximately 75% of its initial capacity at the end of 1000 cycles. Increasing the areal loading of the pitch carbon-coated silicon anodes to realize energy density improvements over graphite anodes results in severe mechanical degradation on the electrode level, highlighting a remaining challenge to be addressed in future work.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

The mystery and promise of multivalent metal-ion batteries

Despite mounting interest and extensive research efforts in developing multivalent (MV) metal-ion battery chemistries (Zn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , etc.), the commercial prospects for these energy storage systems are still obfuscated by fundamental scientific questions and engineering challenges. In particular, the charge storage mechanism(s) of the positive electrode and the implications on achievable electrode and full cell-level performance remain intensely debated topics in the field. Here, in this minireview, we highlight some of the recent progress and uncertainty in elucidating capacity contributions and accompanying mechanisms for different charge carriers (H + , MV-ion, structural ion, anion, and charged solvates/complexes). We then present cell balancing and increasing metal anode utilization as major remaining challenges and propose design strategies and future directions for realizing practical MV metal-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Use of phosphoranimines to reduce organic carbonate content in Li-ion battery electrolytes

In this study, the use of phosphoranimines (PAs), a class of linear, monomeric phosphazenes, as electrolytes for Li-ion battery applications has been investigated as a route to improve safety and stability for Li-ion batteries. Of the potential PAs for use in battery applications, this work focuses on the initial synthetic preparation and analysis of N-trimethylsilyl-P,P-bis((2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-P-ethylphosphoranimine (PA-5). PA-5 has high LiPF6 solubility in excess of 2 M, high thermal stability with a melting point below -80°C and high thermal stability as a neat compound to at least 250°C. As part of electrolyte blends, the inclusion of PA-5 shifts the onset of thermal degradation by close to 40°C at 35% loading and by 20°C at a 10% loading, improves the low temperature performance of the electrolyte, and when used as a primary solvent leads to increases in the flash point (by 20°C) when compared to more traditional EC:EMC blends. Cycling capabilities of full-coin cells with graphite negative electrodes and Li 1+w [Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 ] 1-w O 2 positive electrodes using PA-5:EC:EMC electrolyte blends are comparable with the performance seen for traditional EC:EMC blends. Analysis of the impact of the use of additives such as vinylene carbonate in PA-5:EC:EMC blended electrolyte results in enhanced capacity retention and improved coulombic efficiency.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Three-dimensional conductive network formed by carbon nanotubes in aqueous processed NMC electrode [Three-dimensional conductive network formed by carbon nanotubes in aqueous processed NMC532 electrode]

Aqueous processing of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2 , NMC 532) cathodes was investigated by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the conductive additive. Morphology observation showed CNTs evenly disperse across the electrode, uniformly covering each primary particle, and form three-dimensional electronic pathways. A resistance measurement indicated the CNTs can improve the electronic conductivity of the composite electrode by an order of magnitude compared to carbon black. CNTs based electrodes showed higher rate performance, lower hysteresis, and better cycling performance with 99.4% capacity retention after 200 cycles in full pouch cells compared to 94.6% for carbon black based electrode. Meanwhile, the content of active materials in the electrode was increased from 90 wt% to 96 wt% and the energy density was increased by 11.7%. Furthermore, this research demonstrates an effective combined approach for achieving aqueous processed cathodes with enhanced durability while simultaneously achieving higher energy density by reducing the content of inactive components.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Enabling high rate charge and discharge capability, low internal resistance, and excellent cycleability for Li-ion batteries utilizing graphene additives

A liquid-phase mixing method is adopted to uniformly disperse the graphene nanosheets onto LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 cathode for high-performance Li-ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical performance was characterized using a full pouch cells with state-of-the-art electrode areal loading (compared to half coin cells). The addition of graphene sheets (i.e., only 1 wt%) significantly improves the high rate capability for charging and discharging operation. For example, 6 times improvement in 5 C charging was achieved providing further insights in enabling extreme fast charging for LIBs. Other benefits include longer cycleability, lower internal resistance, and higher lithium ion diffusion coefficient, demonstrated by charge-discharge cycling tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Higher capacity retention of 88.2% and decreased internal resistance of ~0.9 Ω are observed after 400 cycles. The diffusion coefficient of Li ions is 6.49 × 10 -8 cm 2 s -1 when charged to 4.2 V, which is approximately 1.37 times higher compared to the configuration with no graphene sheet (4.74 × 10 -8 cm 2 s -1 ). To conclude, the improved performance is ascribed to a robust network among the active materials formed by graphene sheets, which serves as an extended current conductor and facilitates charge transfer, ionic reversibility, and ionic transportation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗