(Plenary) Materials for High Energy Density Li and Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Over the last decade the energy density of lithium-based batteries has gradually increased, but commercially available cells have now topped out at around 200-250 Wh/kg at the cell level. I will describe several materials-centered approaches that will allow in excess of 300-350 Wh/kg and 700 Wh/l. First the carbon-based anode must be replaced by a higher capacity material, preferably lithium metal itself; we have found that tin-based anodes can achieve 50-100% greater capacity than carbons with coulombic efficiencies over 99.5%. Second on the cathode side, I will describe two options: two-electron systems using lithium, and high nickel NMCAs, both of which have theoretical energy densities of around 1 kWh/kg and have the capability of attaining 1 kWh/liter. The safety aspects will also be covered, as will alternatives to lithium. This work is supported by SUNY, NYS-ESD, NYSERDA and US DOE, BES-EFRC and EERE-VTO-BMR.