ACT/SGER: Development of Nanoparticulate Coatings for Fe(VI) Ferrate Batteries

需要开发提供比目前可用的更高能量的先进电池材料。高铁酸盐阴离子的盐(FeO4)可以用于这一目的，因为这些材料中发生了3电子转移。然而，到目前为止，高铁酸盐的应用受到化学不稳定性和对3电子转移的不完全利用的限制。在早期的研究中，我们已经制定了高铁酸盐合成和高铁酸盐纯度测定的标准程序。高铁酸盐在各种电解液中的不稳定性研究已经启动，并将在本项目期间继续进行。该项目的重点是通过在各种高铁酸盐上涂覆纳米氧化物薄膜来提高它们的稳定性，利用与阿贡国家实验室合作成功应用的技术来改善锂基正极材料的充电特性。将测量用作阴极的涂层高铁酸盐的选定性能，并将评估其相对于锌和锂阳极的电化学行为。Argonne国家实验室和Rayovac公司的研究人员将协助进行所需的电化学特性。目前可用的电池在可以存储的能量和向电子设备提供的电力方面都是有限的。被称为高铁酸盐的高度氧化的铁材料提供了改善电池设计和性能的可能性。然而，迄今为止的研究表明，高铁酸盐在长期储存过程中并不稳定，实际上它们提供的能量远远低于理论上的极限。在这个项目中，我们将尝试通过应用极薄的纳米氧化物涂层来控制与其他电池材料的相互作用，从而提高高铁酸盐材料的稳定性，这会损害高铁酸盐的完整性和性能。该项目的成功完成可能导致可充电电池的生产，这种电池提供的能量和功率比目前的电池设计要大得多。数学和物理科学局的反恐方法方案支持基础研究和劳动力发展方面的新概念，有可能对国家安全作出贡献。

There is a need to develop advanced battery materials that provide higher energies than are available at present. Salts of the ferrate anion (FeO4) could serve this purpose because of the 3-electron transfer that occurs in these materials. To date, however, applications of ferrates are limited by chemical instability and incomplete utilization of the 3-electron transfer. In earlier studies, we have developed standard procedures for ferrate synthesis and determination of ferrate purity. Studies of ferrate instability in various electrolytes have been initiated and will continue during this project. The focus of this project is on improving the stability of various ferrate salts by coating them with thin films of nanoparticulate oxides, using techniques that have been successfully applied to improve the recharge characteristics of lithium-based cathode materials in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory. Selected properties of coated ferrate salts used as cathodes will be measured, and their electrochemical behavior versus zinc and lithium anodes will be evaluated. Researchers at both Argonne National Laboratory and Rayovac Corp. will assist with the required electrochemical characterization.Presently available batteries are limited in terms of both the energy that they can store, and the power that they can deliver to electronic devices. Highly oxidized iron materials, called ferrates, offer the possibility of improving battery design and performance. Studies to date, however, indicate that ferrates are not stable during long-term storage, and the amount of energy that they deliver in practice is significantly less than the theoretical limit. In this project we will attempt to improve the stability of ferrate materials by applying extremely thin coatings of nanoparticulate oxides to control the interaction with other battery materials that compromise ferrate integrity and performance. Successful completion of this project could lead to production of rechargeable batteries that deliver significantly more energy and power than present battery designs. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.