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Fan, Jiang

Publications and source records attributed to Fan, Jiang.

Advanced LiFSI-LiPF6 Electrolyte for Wide-Temperature and Thermally Stable Lithium-Ion Batteries

A new optimized LiFSI–LiPF6 dual-salt controlled-solvation electrolyte (E-DS) is demonstrated to enable practical graphite||LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cells (˜4.0 mAh cm?²) to achieve exceptional performance and safety under extreme conditions. By optimizing anion coordination with the smaller, more dissociating FSI? anion, the E-DS forms ultrathin, dense, and inorganic-rich electrode/electrolyte interphases that dramatically suppress solvent decomposition, transition-metal dissolution, and surface reconstruction compared to the conventional LiPF6/carbonate electrolyte. Consequently, E-DS cells deliver >78% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 60 °C, retain fast discharging capacity at 30 °C, and operate effectively at -20 °C. Most strikingly, fully charged full cells with E-DS, even under overcharging to 4.8 V, show a lower heat evolution in stable formulations — transforming a traditionally unstable high-voltage/high-temperature configuration into an intrinsically safe state. This work establishes a new benchmark for carbonate-containing electrolytes, simultaneously achieving high energy density, fast-discharging capability, wide-temperature operation (-20 to 60 °C), and outstanding thermal safety in nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries.

electrode/electrolyte interphase↗

Is Nonflammability of Electrolyte Overrated in the Overall Safety Performance of Lithium Ion Batteries? A Sobering Revelation from a Completely Nonflammable Electrolyte

It has been widely assumed that the flammability of the liquid electrolyte is one of the most influential factors that determine the safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Following this consideration, a completely nonflammable electrolyte is designed and adopted for graphite||LiFePO 4 (Gr||LFP) batteries. Contrary to the conventional understanding, the completely nonflammable electrolyte with phosphorus-containing solvents exhibits inferior safety performance in commercial Gr||LFP batteries, in comparison to the flammable conventional LiPF 6 -organocarbonate electrolyte. Mechanistic studies identify the exothermic reactions between the electrolyte (especially the salt LiFSI) and the charged electrodes as the “culprit” behind this counterintuitive phenomenon. The discovery emphasizes the importance of reducing the electrolyte reactivity when designing safe electrolytes, as well as the necessity of evaluating safety performance of electrolytes on a battery level.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Batteries (2021 Annual Progress Report)

This document summarizes the progress of VTO battery R&D projects supported during the fiscal year 2021 (FY 2021). In FY 2021, the DOE VTO battery R&D funding was approximately $\$$115 million. Its R&D focus was on the development of high-energy batteries for EVs as well as very high-power devices for hybrid vehicles. The electrochemical energy storage roadmap (which can be found at the EERE Roadmap web page2) describes ongoing and planned efforts to develop electrochemical storage technologies for EVs. To advance battery technology, which can in turn improve market penetration of PEVs, the program investigates various battery chemistries to overcome specific technical barriers, e.g., battery cost, performance, life (both the calendar life and the cycle life), its tolerance to abusive conditions, and its recyclability/sustainability. VTO R&D has had considerable success, lowering the cost of EV battery packs to $\$$185/kWh in 2019 (representing more than 80% reduction since 2008) yet even further cost reduction is necessary for EVs to achieve head-to-head cost competitiveness with ICEs (without Federal subsidies). In addition, today’s batteries also need improvements in such areas as their ability to accept charging at a high rate, referred to as extreme fast charging (XFC) (15 minute charge) – to provide a “refueling” convenience similar to ICEs, and the ability to operate adequately at low temperatures. Research into “next-gen lithium-ion” batteries which would provide such functionalities is one of the R&D focus areas. VTO is funding research on both “next gen” chemistries (which employ an alloy anode and/or a high voltage cathode) and beyond lithium-ion (BLI) chemistries (which can, for example, employ a lithium metal anode).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Batteries Annual Progress Report (FY2019)

The Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) of the Department of Energy (DOE) conducts research and development (R&D) on advanced transportation technologies that would reduce the nation’s use of imported oil and would also lead to reductions in harmful emissions. Technologies supported by VTO include electric drive components such as advanced energy storage devices (primarily batteries), power electronics and electric drive motors, advanced structural materials, energy efficient mobility systems, advanced combustion engines, and fuels. VTO is focused on funding early-stage high-reward/high-risk research to improve critical components needed for more fuel efficient (and cleaner-operating) vehicles. One of the major VTO objectives is to enable U.S. innovators to rapidly develop the next generation of technologies that achieve the cost, range, and charging infrastructure necessary for the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). An important prerequisite for the electrification of the nation’s light duty transportation sector is development of more cost-effective, longer lasting, and more abuse-tolerant PEV batteries. One of the ultimate goals of this research, consistent with the current vehicle electrification trend, is an EV which can provide the full driving performance, convenience, and price of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. To achieve this, VTO has established the following overarching goal (Source: FY2021 Congressional Budget Justification1): …identify new battery chemistry and cell technologies with the potential to reduce the cost of electric vehicle battery packs by more than half, to less than $100/kWh (ultimate goal is $60/kWh battery cell cost), increase range to 300 miles, and decrease charge time to 15 minutes or less by 2028. VTO works with key U.S. automakers through the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) – an umbrella organization for collaborative research consisting of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. Collaboration with automakers through the partnership known as U.S. Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle Efficiency and Energy Sustainability (U.S. DRIVE) attempts to enhance the relevance and the success potential of its research portfolio. VTO competitively selects projects for funding through funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). Directly-funded work at the national laboratories are awarded competitively through a lab-call process. During the past year, VTO continued R&D in support of PEVs. Stakeholders for VTO R&D include universities, national laboratories, other government agencies and industry (including automakers, battery manufacturers, material suppliers, component developers, private research firms, and small businesses). This document summarizes the progress of VTO battery R&D projects supported during the fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Mitigating thermal runaway of lithium-ion battery through electrolyte displacement

Alkanes are investigated as thermal-runaway retardants (TRR) for lithium-ion battery (LIB). TRR is a chemical that can rapidly terminate exothermic reactions in LIB. Under normal working conditions, TRR is sealed in separate packages in the LIB cell, and upon mechanical abuse, it is released to suppress heat generation. The alkanes under investigation include octane, pentadecane, and icosane, among which pentadecane has the highest thermal-runaway mitigation (TRM) efficiency. In nail penetration test on coin cells, ∼4 wt. % pentadecane reduced the maximum temperature by ∼60%; in impact test on pouch cells, ∼5 wt. % pentadecane reduced the maximum temperature by ∼90%. The high TRM efficiency of pentadecane is attributed to its high wettability to separator and its immiscibility with electrolyte. By forming a physical barrier between the cathode and anode, pentadecane interrupts lithium ion (Li+) transport and increases the charge transfer resistance by nearly two orders of magnitude. The diffusion rate of pentadecane in the electrode layer stack was measured to be ∼580 μm/s.

Shi, Yang↗