POLiS Seminar | Prof. Surendra Kumar Martha

In September, Prof. Surendra Kumar Martha from Indian Institute of Technology will give a talk in the POLiS Seminar. 

The title of his talk will be: "All Carbon-Based 4.7 V Dual-ion Rechargeable Batteries".

 

Abstract

Over the past few decades, Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have continued to be the most successful electrochemical system ever developed after lead-acid batteries due to their high operating voltage (3.4 or 3.7 V), high specific energy (150-250 Wh kg-1), and power, with high energy conversion efficiency. LIBs have led the rechargeable battery market with broad applications in portable electronics (Smartphones, laptops, cameras, all electronic toys, gadgets, etc.) and even hybrid-electric vehicles, electric vehicles (EV), and grids. However, the low abundance of lithium, higher raw material costs (lithium carbonate price is $20,782 per ton, and its uneven distribution in the earth's crust have motivated us to find alternative electrochemistry that could be comparable with LIB technology [1].

Graphite is the state-of-the-art anode material for LIBs. Emerging anode materials such as lithium metal and silicon are downgrading graphite’s position due to their superior energy density. As these alternatives proliferate, the scope of graphite use in battery technology appears to be narrowing. This shift necessitates a rigorous examination of graphite’s potential applications beyond conventional boundaries. One intriguing alternative is exploring the use of graphite in dual-ion batteries (DIBs), where anion storage could allow graphite to function as a cathode material. This new approach opens a window of possibilities, leveraging the unique properties of graphite to contribute to battery architecture in a novel manner [2-5]. In DIBs, both electrodes consist of carbonaceous materials, and the ions from the electrolyte intercalate and deintercalate into the electrode matrix. During the charge, the cations and anions get inserted into the anode and cathode, respectively, and during discharge, the process is reversed. A DIB based on the 3D electrode architecture of carbon (zero transition metal ion) will be discussed. A DIB based on fully graphitic carbon fiber can have a nominal voltage of  4.65 V and can deliver energy densities of 92.7, and 110.9 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 114 W kg−1 for the cells cycled at 3.0–5.0 and 3.0–5.2 V, respectively. Understanding the fundamentals of anion storage in graphite, its potential scope, and inherent limitations is crucial for developing a viable DIB product. Hence, identifying the critical bottlenecks of anion storage in a graphite cathode is an important part of this talk.

References

  1. Promise and reality of post-lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities, J. W. Choi,  D. Aurbach,  Nature Rev. Mater. 2016, 1, 16013.
  2. Multifunctional Utilization of Pitch Coated Carbon Fibers in Lithium Based Rechargeable Batteries, S. Ghosh, U. Bhattacharjee, S. Patchiyappan, J. Nanda, N.J Dudney, and S. K. Martha, Advanced Energy Materials, 2100135 (2021).
  3. Ultrathin, flexible and smooth carbon coating extends the cycle life of dual-ion batteries. S Ghosh, U Bhattacharjee, J Dutta, K Sairam, R Korla, S. K. Martha, Journal of Power Sources 584 (2023) 233585.
  4. Differences between cation and anion storage electrochemistry of graphite and its impact on dual graphite battery, S Ghosh, D Sarma, A Mahata, S. K. Martha*, Journal of Power Sources 589 (2024) 233721.
  5. Mechanistic insights into the solvent assisted thermal regeneration of spent graphite and its upcycling into dual graphite batteries, S. Ghosh, M. Bhar,  U. Bhattacharjee,   Kali Prasad Y.,   S. Krishnamurthy , S. K. Martha, J. Mater. Chem A, 12 (2024) 11362-11377.
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