Kavan L.
J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, CZ
Keywords: carbon nanoatubes, olivine phospates
The nanotube-mediated redox wiring is based on a synergic action of adsorbed redox-active molecule, which provides the interfacial charge transfer to the surface and the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT), which transports charge to longer distances in the cathode material. A Ru-bipyridine complex Z-907Na, turned to be particularly suitable for this purpose, because of its amphiphilic character enabling solubilization of SWNT. Electrodes fabricated from optimized composite materials containing LiFePO4 (olivine) exhibit a greatly enhanced activity for electrochemical Li+ extraction/insertion compared to electrodes from commercial carbon-coated LiFePO4 or from LiFePO4 derivatized either by adsorption of sole redox-mediator molecules or by pristine SWNT. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) functionalized by carboxylic groups, exhibit better affinity towards LiMPO4 (M – Fe, Mn) as compared to that of pristine MWNT. The surface functionalization of MWNT enhances charge storage capacity and reversibility of a composite with LiMnPO4 (olivine), but mediates also the electrolyte breakdown at potentials >4.2 V. Whereas the electrochemical activation of LiMnPO4 (olivine) by functionalized MWNT is quite modest, excellent performance was found for LiFePO4 (olivine) in composite materials containing only 2wt% of functionalized nanotubes.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2010 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 195 - 198
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Energy Storage
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3419-0