The Application and Performance of Carbon Nanochain Cathodes and Highly Concentrated Electrolytes in Li-O2 Batteries
Abstract
The transportation sector currently contributes to roughly 30% of the CO2 emissions in the United States. Electrification of this sector is a crucial step in decarbonization. However, the current rate of adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is too slow to be able to meet current targets for CO2 emission reduction. There are a couple of impediments to increasing the adoption rate of EVs. First, the energy and power densities of current Li-ion batteries (LIBs), which are approaching their theoretical limits, are too low to match the driving range of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE). Second, EVs cost more compared to ICE vehicles. This is in large part due to the price of the Li-ion battery. Therefore, advancement of alternative battery chemistries could significantly increase the EV adoption rate.Li-O2 battery chemistry is a promising alternative battery chemistry due to its high theoretical energy density, an order of magnitude higher than that of LIBs, and potentially dramatically lower cost. However, there are several problems standing in the way of Li-O2 batteries including unoptimized cathode pore structures and electrolyte degradation which result in short cycling lifetimes. By understanding and controlling the mass transport of oxygen in the cathode and electrolyte we look to improve the capacity and cycling lifetimes of Li-O2 batteries. Here we present the synthesis of carbon nanochains and their application as cathode material, alone and in combination with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to improve the capacity and cycling lifetimes of Li-O2 cells. We also report the study of the mass transport of oxygen in highly concentrated electrolytes with the goal of reducing electrolyte degradation to improve Li-O2 cell service lifetimes.
- Publication:
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Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 2024
- Bibcode:
- 2024PhDT.........4W
- Keywords:
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- Chemistry; Nanoscience