Novel Current Collector for Rechargeable Batteries

David Llanos, Nick Montes, Theodore Wou

MATSCI 303: PROJECT 2

Content• Proposal Description & Schematic

• Background & Significance

• Specific Aims & Proposed Experiments

• Key Technical Challenges

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Proposal DescriptionConstruct a 3-D Li anode/current collector designed so that dendrite formation does not occur in the direction of the cathode.

We would do by:

1. Implementing a novel geometry for the anode/current collector design

a. Holes fabricated using lithography or sol-gel templates

2. Utilizing a coating on the cathode facing surface to inhibit Li growth in that direction

a. Utilize a highly dense polymer such as HDPE

cathodecurrent collector

insulator

porous current collector

anode

dendrites

housing

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Background & SignificanceZ. Li et al. / J. Power Sources 254 (2014)

168-182❖ Reviewed failure mechanisms of lithium metal and

lithium-ion anodes batteries, and methods to prevent dendrite formation.

Yang, C.-P. et al.. Nat. Commun. 6:8058

❖ Showed that a 3D current collector with a submicron skeleton and high electroactive surface area can significantly improve the electrochemical deposition behaviour of Li.

Körner, C. and Singer, R. F. (2000), Adv. Eng. Mater., 2: 159–165.

❖ Reviewed the merits of various fabrication techniques of porous metals, with particular emphasis placed on the demands of the various applications and the suitability of each process to meet these demands.

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Specific Aims & Proposed ExperimentsDemonstrate prevention of

dendrite formation in direction of cathode

Demonstrate improved cyclability of lithium metal batteries

Big Picture:▪Improved applications for

energy storage› Grid storage› Automotive

Testing of different current collector geometries (e.g. metal foams)

• Cyclability analysis

• Imaging of pores to monitor dendrite growth as a function of cycles (SEM)

• Power density

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Key Technical ChallengesFormation of SEI layer

Electrolyte penetration issues

Coating material of insulating layer on porous current collector surface

Decreasing electrical conductivity of current collector from porosity

Structural integrity of current collector Steiger,J. (2015) Mechanisms of Dendrite Growth in Lithium Metal

Batteries (Doctoral Dissertation) Karlsruher Intitiute of Technology

References[1]: Yang, C.-P. et al. Accommodating lithium into 3D current collectors with

a submicron skeleton towards long-life lithium metal anodes. Nat. Commun. 6:8058 doi: 10.1038/ncomms9058 (2015).

[2]: Körner, C. and Singer, R. F. (2000), Processing of Metal Foams—Challenges and Opportunities. Adv. Eng. Mater., 2: 159–165. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1527-2648(200004)2:4<159::AID-ADEM159>3.0.CO;2-O

[3]: Li, Z. et al. A review of lithium deposition in lithium-ion and lithium metal secondary batteries, J. Power Sources, 254, 168-182, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.12.099 (2014)