Solution-Based Fabrication of Coherent Nanocomposite Film Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries

该奖项的研究目标是：(1)开发环境友好的策略，以制造由纳米碳均匀涂覆的伪晶过渡金属氧化物或过渡金属磷酸盐组成的相干纳米复合薄膜电极，(2)研究远离热力学平衡的电活性材料薄膜电极，以获得更高的能量存储能力和高功率密度。(3)更好地了解结晶度、纳米结构和储能性能对制备方法和参数的依赖关系。具体方法包括通过水电解诱导共沉淀法或电泳法沉积均匀的有机-无机纳米复合膜，以及通过控制热解和部分结晶法制备均匀涂覆纳米碳的假晶电活性材料组成的相干纳米复合膜。如果成功，这项研究将导致大规模制备方法的发展，这些方法很容易用于薄膜锂离子电池的制造，并合成具有大大增强的储能密度和比功率以及循环稳定性的薄膜电极。这项研究的影响将超越电能存储材料，因为制造方法可以直接应用于制造各种有机-无机纳米复合材料或混合膜，用于其他应用，包括但不限于腐蚀保护或耐磨涂层，传感器多孔膜和催化。本研究将为研究生和本科生引入和吸引他们进入可持续清洁能源材料和新型制造战略领域，并在他们之间培养一种接受、尊重和容忍他人差异的积极文化，从而极大地造福于他们。

This research objectives of this award are (1) to develop environmentally benign strategies for the fabrication of coherent nanocomposite film electrodes consisting of pseudocrystalline transition metal oxides or transition metal phosphates uniformly coated with nano carbon, (2) to study film electrodes with electroactive materials away from thermodynamic equilibrium for much higher energy storage capacity with high power density, and (3) to achieve a better fundamental understanding of the dependence of crystallinity, nanostructures, and energy storage performance on the fabrication methods and parameters. Specific approaches include the deposition of homogeneous organic-inorganic nanocomposite films through water electrolysis induced co-precipitation or electrophoretic deposition, and the formation of coherent nanocomposite films consisting of pseudocrystalline electroactive materials uniformly coated with nano carbon through controlled pyrolysis and partial crystallization. If successful, this research will lead to the development of large-scale fabrication methods for coherent porous nanocomposite films readily available for thin film lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and the synthesis of film electrodes with greatly enhanced energy storage density and specific power as well as cyclic stability. This research will have impacts beyond the electrical energy storage materials, as the manufacturing methods can be directly applied in the fabrication of various organic-inorganic nanocomposite or hybrid films for other applications including, but not limited to, corrosion protection or wear resistant coatings, porous films for sensors, and catalysis. This research will greatly benefit both graduate and undergraduate students through introducing and attracting them to the field of sustainable clean energy materials and novel manufacturing strategies, and through fostering a positive culture among them that accepts, respects, and tolerates differences of others.