Crimson Publishers Blogger: Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle Application

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle Application_Crimson Publishers

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle Application by Vinod Kumar E in Annals of Chemical Science Research_chemical engineering sciences journal

Introduction

Development of advanced renewable energy storage systems is crucially important to combat the increased usage of fossil fuels. Secondary batteries are superior to other energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and conversion efficiencies (Figure 1). In recent years, secondary lithium-ion batteries become an integrated part of our life due to its widespread use in consumer electronics, medical devices and electric vehicles [1]. However, implementation of current generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in commercial electric vehicles are limited by their low energy density (100-250Wh kg^-1) and power density (250-400W kg^-1) [2]. Pack level energy density exceeding 350Wh kg^-1 is necessary for electric vehicles with a driving range of 500km [3]. In this regard, many approaches are being pursued to improve the electrochemical performance of Li-ion battery electrochemistry with the use of high-performance nanostructured electrode materials.

Figure 1: Ragone plot of different energy storage devices.

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Electrode materials for state-of-the-art automotive Li-ion batteries have to meet several requirements including high specific capacity, long cycle-life, good mechanical and chemical stability over a wide temperature range and safe operation [4]. Conventional Li-ion batteries usually consist of graphite /Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anodes and LiCoO₂/LiFePO₄ cathodes. Storage capacities and safety characteristics of these batteries are inadequate for application in electric vehicles [3,5]. Although different cell components including electrolyte solutions, electrode-electrolyte interfaces and separators are important, physio-chemical properties of electrode materials are the key factor deciding Li-ion storage performance. Hence, immense efforts have been focused on the development of advanced high capacity alloying/conversion anodes and high voltage LiMO₂ cathodes (where M is a combination of Ni, Co, Al/Mn). One of the most widely used strategies to improve the electrochemical performance is the fabrication of nanostructured electrodes [6]. Another approach is the hybridization of active material with carbonaceous substrates such as graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres. Nevertheless, development of high-performance Li-ion batteries for long range electric vehicles remains as a challenge.

Pseudocapacitive Li-ion storage has been recently investigated as a strategy to significantly improve the Li-ion storage performance [7]. This process usually involves surface/near surface diffusion independent charge storage facilitated by defects and interfaces. Pseudo-capacitance of metal oxide anodes such as TiO₂, V₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, TiNb₂O₇ and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ are investigated recently [8-11]. Ultralong cycling stabilities and high-power densities and can be obtained for pseudocapacitive electrodes due to the minimum structural changes and diffusion independent Li-ion intercalation, respectively. Moreover, synergy between conventional Li-ion intercalation and unconventional pseudocapacitive surface Li-ion storage often result in high energy densities that are difficult to achieve otherwise. Nevertheless, energy density of these intercalation type electrodes are low and pseudocapacitive Li-ion storage is minimal in the case of conversion and alloying type high capacity anodes. Extrinsic pseudo-capacitance, which can be induced through nano-structuring, remains elusive in the case of conversion and alloying type anodes. Li-ion storage of metal oxide and phosphate-based cathodes also follow a diffusion limited intercalation mechanism. Pseudocapacitive and double layer type Li-ion storage is also negligible in these cathodes due to their low surface area and large particle size. It is therefore necessary to induce pseudocapacitive Li-ion storage in high capacity electrodes to further enhance energy/power density and cycling stability.

Engineering of electrode materials containing defects (anion/cation vacancies, dislocations, grain boundaries etc.) and interfaces (metal oxide-metal oxide, metal-metal oxide, metal oxide-carbon etc.) are key to induce pseudocapacitive type Li-ion storage in Li-ion battery electrodes, and more research is necessary in this direction. In conclusion, diffusion limitation of Li-ions and single type ion storage mechanism is one of the crucial factors limiting the performance of current generation Li-ion batteries. In our opinion, electrode materials that can store Li-ions through multiple mechanisms are key for the development of high energy and power density Li-ion batteries with excellent cycling life and safety characteristics. Designing of such environmentally friendly electrode materials and their large-scale production is also important for the real-world implementation of high-performance Li-ion batteries for electric vehicle application.

Conclusion

Despite of the numerous advances in the area of electrochemical energy storage, development of high-performance Li-ion batteries for long-range electric vehicles remains as a challenge. While research on alternate battery technologies based on Na, Mg, Ca, K and Al ions are at early stage, Li-ion batteries are still the most versatile technology suitable for electric vehicle market. Consequently, development of high energy/power density and long-life Li-ion batteries has been the subject of intense research. Although electrolyte compositions and electrode-electrolyte interfaces affect the battery performance, electrode materials depending on single type of diffusion-limited ion storage is the key factor responsible for the mediocre performance of Li-ion batteries. In our opinion, defect and interface engineered electrode materials that can store Li-ions through multiple mechanisms are crucial for the development of advanced Li-ion batteries for implementation in long-range electric vehicles.

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