Engineering topics

Fu, Kun

Publications and source records attributed to Fu, Kun.

3 records

DOE OSTI2023

High Ion Conductive and Selective Membrane Achieved through Dual Ion Conducting Mechanisms

Conventional ion-selective membranes, that is ion-exchange and porous membranes, are unable to perform high conductivity and selectivity simultaneously due to the contradictions between their ion selecting and conducting mechanisms. Here, in this work, a bifunctional ion-selective layer is developed via the combination of nanoporous boron nitride (PBN) and ion exchange groups from Nafion to achieve high ion conductivity through dual ion conducting mechanisms as well as high ion selectivity. A template-free method is adopted to synthesize flake-like PBN, which is further enmeshed with Nafion resin to form the bifunctional layer coated onto a porous polyetherimide membrane. The double-layer membrane exhibits excellent ion selectivity (1.49 × 10 8 mS cm –3 min), which is 22 times greater than that of the pristine porous polyetherimide membrane, with outstanding ion conductivity (64 mS cm –1 ). In a vanadium flow battery, the double-layer membrane achieves a high Coulombic efficiency of 97% and outstanding energy efficiency of 91% at 40 mA cm –2 with a stable cycling performance for over 700 cycles at 100 mA cm –2 . PBN with ion exchange groups may therefore offer a potential solution to the limitation between ion selectivity and conductivity in ion-selective membranes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Metal alloy layers on substrates, methods of making same, and uses thereof

Metal alloy layers on substrates. The metal-alloy layers (e.g., lithium-metal layers, sodium-metal layers, and magnesium-metal layers) can be disposed on, for example, a solid-state electrolyte material. The metal-alloy layers can be used in, for example, solid-state batteries. A metal alloy layer can be an anode or part of an anode of a solid state battery.

Hu, Liangbing↗

DOE OSTI2020

Garnet-Type Solid-State Electrolytes: Materials, Interfaces, and Batteries

Solid-state batteries with desirable advantages, including high-energy density, wide temperature tolerance, and fewer safety-concerns, have been considered as a promising energy storage technology to replace organic liquid electrolyte-dominated Li-ion batteries. Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) as the most vital component in solid-state batteries largely lead the future battery development. Among different types of solid-state electrolytes, garnet-type Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) solid-state electrolytes have particularly high ionic conductivity (10 –3 to 10 –4 S/cm) and good chemical stability against Li metal, offering a great opportunity for solid-state Li-metal batteries. Since the discovery of garnet-type LLZO in 2007, there has been an increasing interest in the development of garnet-type solid-state electrolytes and all solid-state batteries. Garnet-type electrolyte has been considered one of the most promising and important solid-state electrolytes for batteries with potential benefits in energy density, electrochemical stability, high temperature stability, and safety. In this Review, we will survey recent development of garnet-type LLZO electrolytes with discussions of experimental studies and theoretical results in parallel, LLZO electrolyte synthesis strategies and modifications, stability of garnet solid electrolytes/electrodes, emerging nanostructure designs, degradation mechanisms and mitigations, and battery architectures and integrations. We will also provide a target-oriented research overview of garnet-type LLZO electrolyte and its application in various types of solid-state battery concepts (e.g., Li-ion, Li–S, and Li–air), and we will demonstrate opportunities and perspectives as guides for future development of solid electrolytes and solid-state batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗