Multi-layering of carbon conductivity enhancers for boosting rapid recharging performance of high mass loading lithium ion battery electrodes

Sang Ho Lee; Yige Sun; Patrick S Grant

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.153

Multi-layering of carbon conductivity enhancers for boosting rapid recharging performance of high mass loading lithium ion battery electrodes

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 Feb:655:518-526. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.153. Epub 2023 Nov 4.

Authors

Sang Ho Lee¹, Yige Sun², Patrick S Grant²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, South Korea. Electronic address: sangho.lee@pknu.ac.kr.
² Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH, UK.

PMID: 37952455
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.153

Abstract

The ability of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) to provide rapid charging characteristics while retaining a substantial energy storage capacity is of paramount significance for their applicability in portable smart electronic devices. In this research, an effective approach to enhance re-charging rates of LIB cells was developed through incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) conductivity boosters strategically into Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) electrodes. A layer-by-layer spray coating was exploited to manufacture multi-layer architectures that comprise sequential, discrete electrode layers of CNT-rich LTO and CNT-free LTO, aiming at promoting charge transfer kinetics of high mass loading electrodes. Initially, the optimal proportion of a CNT-rich layer and its best location within multi-layer electrode structures were investigated in half-cell configurations. The best performing multi-layer was then paired with a spray-coated LiFePO₄ (LFP) positive electrode in full-cell LIBs, offering attractive power performance of ∼ 1500 W/kg that outperformed conventional LTO || LFP combinations.

Keywords: Carbon nanotube; Lithium ion battery; Multi-layering; Rate capability; Spray coating.