Understanding How Irradiation Affects Electrochemical Charge Storage in Nanostructured Metal Oxide Electrodes

非技术描述：经济增长和人口扩张导致能源消耗迅速增加，加强了对电能存储（如电池）技术的需求。锂离子电池是一种具有更多应用前景的电池技术，例如在电动汽车或电网中提供高能量和高功率。近年来的研究发现，含有故意结构缺陷的锂离子电池电极材料（如TiO2）具有增强的电化学电荷存储能力。该项目使用辐照将缺陷引入TiO2纳米结构电极，因为已知辐照会在材料中产生过多的缺陷。利用辐照增强电池功能的假设得到证实，可以促进有意结构缺陷的使用，从而深刻地改变电池的研究、制造和应用。该项目还可能通过在卫星和高空飞机等受高辐射领域影响的应用中进行现场辐照，改善电池的功能；用于安全、国防和电力生产的先进传感器；远程作战;核能与推进；和医疗保健。综合研究和教育活动将对本科生和研究生以及公众产生影响。技术细节：该项目的目的是确定辐照如何以及通过何种机制影响纳米结构TiO2电极的电化学电荷存储。该项目涉及辐照下可充电电池系统行为的基础科学。目前对辐照对金属氧化物电极电荷存储性能影响的基本机制了解有限。这项研究填补了辐照下金属氧化物电极插层动力学和结构演化方面的知识空白。研究表明，金属氧化物的结构缺陷可以提高材料的电化学电荷存储能力。由于已知辐照会在材料中产生过量的点缺陷，因此假设辐照可以类似地增强金属氧化物电极的电荷容量。在这个项目中，晶体TiO2纳米管被质子照射，然后与Li进行电化学循环。表征技术的最新进展使观察电化学循环后的缺陷和纳米结构成为可能。本项目将实验与模型相结合，以获得辐照对金属氧化物电极电荷输运和结构演变的基本认识。研究生研究人员正在获得尖端研究设备和技术的技术经验，并与国家实验室合作。博伊西州立大学路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟项目的本科生研究人员也参与其中。从这个项目的主题被用于课程开发和推广计划，以初中和高中。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Economic growth and population expansion have led to a rapid increase in energy consumption, intensifying the need for electrical energy storage (e.g., battery) technologies. Lithium-ion batteries are battery technologies having promise in more applications, e.g. in providing high energy and high power in electric vehicles or electrical grids. Recent studies have observed that lithium-ion battery electrode materials (such as TiO2) contain intentional structural defects exhibit enhanced electrochemical charge storage capacity. This project uses irradiation to introduce defects into TiO2 nanostructured electrodes, because irradiation is known to produce an excess of defects in a material. Confirmation of the hypothesis of enhancing battery functionality using irradiation could promote the use of intentional structural defects to profoundly transform battery research, fabrication, and applications. This project may also lead to improved battery functionality through in-service, in situ irradiation in applications subject to high radiation fields, such as satellites and high-altitude aircraft; advanced sensors for security, defense, and power production; remote warfare; nuclear energy and propulsion; and healthcare. Integrated research and education activities will have impacts on undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the general public.TECHNICAL DETAILS: The objective of this project is to determine how and by what mechanisms irradiation affects the electrochemical charge storage of nanostructured TiO2 electrodes. The project addresses the foundational science of the behavior of rechargeable battery systems under irradiation. There is currently limited knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms of irradiation effects on charge storage properties of metal oxide electrodes. This research is filling a knowledge gap in intercalation kinetics and structural evolution of metal oxide electrodes under irradiation. Studies suggest structural defects in metal oxides can enhance the material's electrochemical charge storage capacity. Since irradiation is known to produce an excess of point defects in a material, it is hypothesized that irradiation can similarly enhance the charge capacity of metal oxide electrodes. In this project, crystalline TiO2 nanotubes are proton irradiated, then undergo electrochemical cycling with Li. Recent advances in characterization techniques enable the observation of defects and nanostructure following electrochemical cycling. This project integrates experiment and modeling to obtain a fundamental understanding of irradiation effects on charge transport and structural evolution of metal oxide electrodes. Graduate student researchers are gaining technical experience with cutting-edge research equipment and techniques and working in collaboration with national laboratories. Undergraduate student researchers from the Boise State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program are also involved. Topics from this project are being used for curriculum development and outreach programs to middle and high schools.