Energy Materials for Sustainable Development: On Demand Storage and Conversion
Sponsored by: ACerS Energy Materials and Systems Division
Program Organizers: Armin Feldhoff, Leibniz University Hannover; Kyle Brinkman, Clemson University; Krista Carlson, University of Nevada, Reno; Eva Hemmer, University of Ottawa; Nikola Kanas, Institute Biosense, University of Novi Sad; Kjell Wiik, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Lei Zuo, Virginia Tech; Stephanie Lee, Stevens Institute of Technology; Muhammad Hajj, Stevens Institute of Technology; Mohammad Haik, Stevens Institute of Technology
Friday 8:00 AM
October 22, 2021
Room: On-Demand Room 6
Location: MS&T On Demand
Keynote
Lessons Learned from Materials Enriching Sustainable Energy Storage Solutions: Ekaterina Pomerantseva1; 1Drexel University
Earth-abundant and recyclable materials without losses in performance are required to enable available and affordable energy storage technologies. In this talk, I will present opportunities for innovative, cobalt-free cathode chemistries for Li-ion batteries. Tunnel manganese oxides, bilayered vanadium oxides and ternary layered titanium oxides will be discussed as model materials providing information that can be used to develop strategies leading to long-term sustainability. Additionally, I will touch on the electrolyte chemistries that can be used in sustainable approaches beyond Li-ion batteries. The materials developed in this work have a potential to enable next-generation energy storage solutions.
Invited
Advancing Lithium Batteries: An Interdisciplinary Approach: Nils Peter Wagner1; 1SINTEF
Li-ion batteries were introduced to the market three decades ago, and the gravimetric and volumetric energy density as well as cycle-life of modern Li-ion batteries has thus far not been exceeded by any other battery concept. Still there is plenty of room for improvement for lithium based batteries. In particular with respect to environmental impacts and safety characteristics of the battery. Furthermore, increasing the energy density by replacing traditional anode materials with lithium metal is highly desirable. Here, an overview over the multi-disciplinary approach on improving lithium based batteries at SINTEF is presented where examples including advances in high energy layered-oxides and the aqueous processing of such materials to reduce the energy consumption and discard fluorinated binders. Moreover, an overview of our work on cobalt free high voltage materials and solid polymeric and hybrid electrolytes to exclude critical raw materials and improve the safety of Li based batteries is given.
Cancelled
Solid State Batteries – from Interfaces to High Energy Density
: Jihui Yang1; 1University of Washington
Room temperature lithium ion conductors have been intensively revisited in an attempt to develop solid state batteries that can be deployed for high energy applications. In recent years, promising solid lithium ion conductors with competitive ionic conductivity to those of liquid electrolytes have been demonstrated. The integration of highly conductive solid electrolytes into the battery system is, however, still very challenging mainly due to the high impedance existing at different interfaces throughout the battery structure. In this talk, I will highlight our recent work on the understanding of interfaces between the solid electrolytes and anode & cathode, providing new insights into enabling future all solid-state batteries. I will also show that high energy and long cycle life can be achieved in solid state batteries via optimizing the interfacial thermodynamics.
Invited
Electronic Doping of Semiconductor Thermoelectric Nanostructures with Isoelectronic Dopants: Ayaskanta Sahu1; 1New York University
Thermoelectric devices possess enormous potential to reshape the global energy landscape by converting waste heat into electricity, yet their commercial implementation has been limited by their high cost-to-output power ratio. No single “champion” thermoelectric material exists due to a broad range of material-dependent thermal and electrical property optimization challenges. While nanostructuring provided a general design paradigm for reducing thermal conductivities, there exists no analogous strategy for homogeneous, precise doping of materials. Here, we demonstrate an interface-engineering approach with an isoelectronic dopant that harnesses the large chemically accessible surface area of nanomaterials to modify the host band structure yielding massive, finely-controlled, and stable changes in the Seebeck coefficient, switching a prototypical p-type thermoelectric material, tellurium, into a robust n-type material. These remodeled, n-type nanowires display extremely high power factors that are orders of magnitude higher than their bulk p-type counterparts with power factors and ZTs surpassing bulk tellurium.
Invited
Complex Phase Transformations Observed in Na Storage Materials: Jae Chul Kim1; 1Stevens Institute of Technology
As an alternative to Li-based technology for grid storage, Na-ion batteries made of earth-abundant elements have attracted substantial interest. Na storage materials with a layered structure undergo reversible phase transformations upon Na intercalation due to complex interatomic interactions. However, large desodiation often leads to an unclarified, irreversible phase transformation at high voltage, hindering the full use of transition metal (TM) redox. In this talk, how TM selection affects the stability of desodiated sodium TM oxides will be discussed, and recent findings on a quaternary TM system including Ti and Fe will be underlined. A highly-desodiated phase that exhibits peculiar oxygen stacking to afford alternating octahedral and prismatic Na layers, namely OP2 stacking, will be demonstrated. The formation of OP2 is rationalized by distortion-tolerant Ti and Jahn-Teller-active Fe. This new phase participates in redox reaction reversibly, fundamentally distinct from inactive high-voltage phases in many Na-ion cathodes.
Invited
Half-Heusler Alloys: Promising Materials For Mid-To-High Temperature Thermoelectric Conversion: Joseph Poon1; Mousumi Mitra1; Peter Thomas2; Kai Yang2; 1University of Virginia; 2Novus Energy Technologies
Half-Heusler phases (MgAgSb structure) are known for their high thermoelectric power factor, good thermal stability, and high scalability. These materials, especially those based on refractory elements, have emerged as promising thermoelectric materials in the intermediate temperature range (400-800oC). Thermoelectric (TE) modules fabricated by Novus Energy Technologies using n-type and p-type half-Heusler (HH) alloys developed at U. Virginia have demonstrated a conversion efficiency of ~9 % and record power output of 50 W with a power density of 3.55 W/cm2 in a thermoelectric module consisting of 49 n-p couples, and near 10 W/m2 for a 3-stage module. This talk will focus on the scientific advancements since the 2010s that cumulated in attaining ZT>1 as well as the realization of practical TE modules for future fusion space power applications. We will report on the use of bandstructure engineering in enhancing the TE properties of both n-type and p-type HH alloys.
Invited
Recovery of Lithium from Geothermal Brines and Minerals: Parans Paranthaman1; 1Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Lithium has been identified as one of the near-critical elements and is essential for US energy security. Small US production (ca. 2% of the global supply) and heavy import reliance despite rapid domestic demand growth for lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles provide impetus for early-stage research. Lithium−aluminum layered double hydroxide chloride (LDH) has been recently demonstrated to be a promising sorbent material for selective lithium extraction and recovery from geothermal brine. LDH samples have been synthesized from two different starting materials (alumina and gibbsite) and with two post-drying conditions (ambient-dried and oven-dried) as well as and Fe doped LDH are studied using neutron vibrational spectroscopy. We will report in detail about the recent results on these sorbents. This research was supported by the Critical Materials Institute, an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Advanced Manufacturing Office.
Invited
Recent Advances and Material Challenges in Up-scaling SOEC: Peter Hendriksen1; 1Technical University of Denmark
For a sustainable society we will need green fuels for aviation and shipping. This requires sustainable routes to hydrogen. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) offer here an attractive route, but improvements are needed with respect to scale, durability, and cost. Here, recent achievements on the material side furthering SOEC technology are presented. Upscaling of SOEC requires mechanically tough cells. Progress on optimizing the composition of the zirconia in the Ni-zirconia supports to maximize strength and toughness are presented. Whereas reducing temperature of operation will slow down degradation processes and allow use of cheaper materials it will call for better electrodes. Recent in-sight to what limits performance of (La,Sr)FeO3 based oxygen electrodes, the role of the surface chemistry, and how to boost their performance will be presented. Finally, ceria infiltration as a route to improve fuel electrode performance and durability and how to implement this will be discussed.
Invited
Multifunctional Materials for Solar Technologies: Federico Rosei1; 1INRS Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications
This presentation focuses on structure property/relationships in advanced materials, emphasizing multifunctional systems that exhibit multiple functionalities. Such systems are then used as building blocks for the fabrication of various emerging technologies. In particular, nanostructured materials synthesized via the bottom–up approach present an opportunity for future generation low cost manufacturing of devices. We focus in particular on recent developments in solar technologies that aim to address the energy challenge, including third generation photovoltaics, solar hydrogen production, luminescent solar concentrators and other optoelectronic devices. [1-20]. References[1] J.Am.Chem.Soc.132,8868(2010); [2] Appl.Phys.Lett.98,202902(2011); [3] Chem.Comm.49,5856(2013); [4] J.Phys.Chem.C 117,14510(2013); [5] Nature Phot.9,61(2015); [6] Nano Energy 27,265(2016); [7] Small 12,3888(2016); [8] Adv.En.Mater.6,1501913(2016); [9] Adv.Sci.3,1500345(2016); [10] Small 11,5741(2015); [11] Small 11,4018(2015); [12] J.Mater.Chem.A3,2580(2015); [13] Nano Energy 35,92(2017); [14] Adv.Func.Mater.27,1401468(2017); [15] Adv.En.Mater.8,1701432(2018); [16] Nature Phot. 12,271(2018); [17] Nano Energy 55,377(2019); [18] Appl.Cat.B250,234(2019); [19] Appl.Cat.B264,118526(2020); [20] Adv.Func.Mater.30,1908467(2020).
Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Nano TiO2 (Anatase) Dispersed on Ti3C2-Mxene as High-performance Anode for Lithium-ion Batteries: Hanan Tariq1; Abdul Shakoor1; Jeffin Abraham1; Siham Alqaradawi1; Ramzan Kahraman1; 1Qatar University
The TiO2 nanoparticle-decorated Ti3C2-MXene (Ti3C2-TiO2) nanocomposites were developed, and their physical and electrochemical properties were studied. FE-SEM images demonstrated the development of nano-sized material with well homogeneous particle size distribution. The nanocomposite morphology obtained comprised of ~50 nm-sized TiO2 particles, uniformly distributed in the layers of Ti3C2-MXene. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, rate capability, and electrochemical impedance were employed to investigate the electrochemical properties of Ti3C2-TiO2 nanocomposites. It was observed that compared to pure TiO2 nanoparticles and Ti3C2 individually, Ti3C2-TiO2 nanocomposites provided superior performance and improved cycling efficiency when used as LIB anodes. As a comparison, 5wt%- Ti3C2-TiO2 nanocomposites demonstrated the best cyclic stability with a high reversible capacity of around 240 mAhg−1 after 100 cycles current density of 0.1C and an outstanding rate capability. The nanocomposites' promising characteristics are derived from their unique structure and composition, facilitating improved conductivity and faster Li+ ions diffusion through coated MXene layers.
Fabrication of Microstructurally Engineered Composite Electrodes
for SOFC Applications through Additive Manufacturing: Edward Sabolsky1; Joshua Tenney1; Gunes Yakaboylu2; Jordan Conte2; Michael Jones2; Irene Fontana3; Katarzyna Sabolsky2; Harry Abernathy4; Gregory Hackett5; 1US Department of Energy- National Energy Technology Laboratory; West Virginia University; 2West Virginia University; 3University of Genoa; 4US Department of Energy- National Energy Technology Laboratory; NETL Support Contractor; 5US Department of Energy- National Energy Technology Laboratory
New developments in composite materials are required to further increase electrocatalytic activity and stability for SOFC electrodes. The performance of these composites is dependent upon both the composition and microstructure of the composite, where these characteristics act synergistically endless number of combinational variables. In this work, methods for fabricating novel ceramic (metal-oxide) microstructures using additive manufacturing methods will be discussed to quickly evaluate key processing variables. Alternative methods to deposit layer-by-layer the ceramic materials and sinter the microstructure were investigated. The talk will discuss the layer-by-layer printing methodologies developed, which permit the in situ alterations to chemistry, particle size, and pore size/structure, while also producing layers with a resolution <20 µm. The talk will also discuss laser processing methods used to sinter the high-temperature ceramic layers. The final electrical and mechanical properties of the produced materials will be characterized and related to the resultant microstructure.
Dense NASICON-type LAGP Ceramics with 2D MoS2 Interlayer for All-solid-state Lithium Metal Batteries: Seung Jin Baek1; Eunho Cha1; Dong Gyu Kim1; Do-Kyung Kim1; 1Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
NASICON-type lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3, LAGP) is regarded as one of the most promising solid electrolyte due to good chemical stability with Li. However, a number of recent studies have raised the awareness behind the issues of mixed conducting interphase (MCI) forming between LAGP and Li interface due to the degradation of ionic conductivity and fracture of LAGP with volume change during cycling.In this study, we made dense LAGP ceramics via modified pressureless sintering; in addition, partially reacted LAGP powders were prepared to analyze the sintering kinetics. Subsequently, we prepared MoS2-coated LAGP composite with various fabrication methods including MoS2 polishing, arranging exfoliated MoS2 nano-sheet, and applying vertically-aligned-MoS2 by chemical vapor deposition growth. Therefore, MoS2 layers form a lithiophilic interface, which prevents the formation of MCI. It is our goal to establish an approach of designing a lithiophilic interface with 2D materials for high performing all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.
Au NPs-decorated CeO2-TiO2 for Efficient Photoassisted CO Preferential Oxidation: Elisa Moretti1; Mojitaba Gilzad Kohan2; Antonia Infantes Molina3; Alberto Vomiero2; 1Ca’ Foscari University of Venice; 2Lulea University of Technology; 3University of Málaga
The investigation of CeO2-based materials is a research hotspot for environment and energy-related applications. Tuning the morphological features of a catalyst has emerged as an important strategy to improve activity and there has been extensive research to develop highly active ceria-based systems rationally designed with a controlled morphology.This work aims at investigating the behavior of Au nanoparticles supported on CeO2-TiO2 nanostructured matrices in the CO preferential oxidation in H2-rich stream (photo CO-PROX). CeO2 samples containing different TiO2 loadings were synthesized by a surfactant-free slow co-precipitation method. Au NPs deposited on the surface of the Ce-Ti mixed oxides. The samples appeared organized in a hierarchical needle-like structure, with homogenously distributed Au NPs decorating the support. The systems showed a morphology dependent behavior in the CO-PROX under simulated solar light irradiation, resulting much more active than a benchmark sample with a non-organized structure. A clear morphology-functionality correlation was found.
Nano-Catalyst Enhanced Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anodes for Increased Stability within Hydrocarbon Containing Fuels: Saad Waseem1; Edward Sabolsky1; Katarzyna Sabolsky1; Richard Hart2; Seunghyuck Hong2; 1West Virginia University; 2GE Research
The objective of this work was to investigate methods to increase the performance and stability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with Ni-based anodes operating on hydrocarbon reformate fuels. Although it is expected that the operation of a fuel reformer upstream of the SOFC stack would produce the proper syngas composition, there is a probability that low levels of methane and higher hydrocarbons may find their way to the SOFC anode. The presentation will demonstrate strategies for modifying the existing Ni-based anodes with nano-catalyst in order to alleviate the negative effects of the coking mechanism. A liquid solution infiltration (impregnation) method was developed and optimized which permitted the uniform deposition of both single- and multi-phase nano-catalysts throughout the porous anode. The impregnated SOFCs were evaluated using current-voltage-power (I-V-P) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy while operating under varying reformate fuel compositions. Post-mortem microstructure and chemistry characterizations were used in analysis.
A Novel Bi-functional Oxygen Catalyst, NBRO, for Rechargeable Air Battery: Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity: Hayato Suzuki1; Kentaro Kozasa1; Masatsugu Morimitsu1; 1Doshisha University
This paper presents a novel oxygen catalyst consisting of sodium, bismuth, and ruthenium oxide for the bi-functional air electrode of rechargeable air batteries (RAB). The oxide was prepared by precipitation and calcination of the metal hydroxide precursor obtained by adding NaOH into the metal salts solution. Characterization by XRD, RBS, ICP-AES, and SEM revealed that the oxide’s structure resembled bismuth ruthenium oxide (BRO) except that sodium is involved and located at near A-site which is occupied by Bi in BRO. The catalytic activities to OER and ORR were examined by titanium disk method (TDM) or with the air electrode using the oxide, and the results indicated that OER and ORR occurred with a low overpotential less than 300 mV and the air electrode worked well over 3000 cycles with no significant change in the potentials of oxygen evolution and reduction.
Tuning the Thermoelectric Performance of CaMnO3-based Ceramics by Controlled Exsolution and Micro-structuring
: Nikola Kanas1; Benjamin Williamson2; Richard Hinterding3; Mari-Ann Einarsrud2; Sverre Selbach2; Armin Feldhoff3; Kjell Wiik2; 1BioSense Institute; 2NTNU; 3Leibniz University
In this work we extend the study on the previously reported CaMnO3/CaMn2O4 composites, focusing on the effect of microstructure and composition on the thermoelectric properties. Single phase compositions were produced in reducing atmosphere and subsequently fully densified by spark plasma sintering in vacuum. Annealing in air at 1340 °C between 1 and 8 hours activated redox exsolution and resulted in a variation in microstructure of materials with 10 and 15 vol% CaMn2O4. The nature of the CaMnO3-δ-CaMn2O4 interface was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies followed by a theoretical approach based on density functional theory.The highest electrical and lowest thermal conductivities were obtained for composite CMO10%8h, reaching 49 S·cm-1 at 900 °C and 0.56 W·m-1K-1 at 700 ºC, respectively. However, the highest zT was observed for composite CMO15%8h reaching 0.11 at 900 °C, due to the enhanced power factor above 700 °C.
Effects of Processing Conditions on Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Solid Electrolytes: Vazrik Keshishian1; John Kieffer1; 1Vazrik Keshishian
Achieving high ionic conductivity and mechanical stiffness in solid state electrolytes (SSE) simultaneously, requires a composite materials design approach. We develop hybrid organic-inorganic electrolytes, in which a silica backbone, formed via sol-gel synthesis provides a mechanically rigid backbone. The pore fluid is subsequently replaced with PEO polymer. In this approach mechanical and ionic transport properties are decoupled, resulting in both high elastic stiffness and ionic conductivity. The network structure of a gel-cast material can be further conditioned by influencing the structural evolution during drying. Changing sample aspect ratio various degrees of anisotropy and spatial gradients can be achieved in the network topology, as revealed through nano-mechanical characterization using Brillouin light scattering. Given the strong correlation between adiabatic modulus and ion hopping activation energy , this anisotropy also affects ionic conductivity. We elaborate on strategies to harness this structural conditioning to create better performing SSE (Acknowledgement: NSF-DMR 1610742.)
In-situ Precipitation Processing of High-ionic Conductivity LATP/PEO Solid Electrolyte for Lithium-ion Batteries: Guangyu Wang1; John Kieffer1; 1University of Michigan
A novel water based in-situ precipitation method is devised for the fabrication of polymer matrix composite solid electrolytes, achieving effective spatial dispersion of Li1.3Al 0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) nanoparticles up to particle loadings of 30 wt% (15 vol%). Amorphous LATP nanoparticles precipitate in seemingly random locations within the polyethylene oxide matrix. The maximum ionic conductivity occurs near 13 vol% particle loading, as predicted by our triphase model, both in composition and magnitude. This strongly supports the concept that in these materials the most highly conductive region is the interphase that develops between LATP particles and polymer. The highest 20℃ ionic conductivity of 3.8 × 10-4 S/cm, observed at 25 wt% LATP and EO/Li = 10, exceeds that of the polymer matrix by 2 orders of magnitude. This substantial improvement is the consequence of minimizing particle agglomeration and the expansion of interphase region to the entire bulk polymer. (NSF-DMR 1610742)
Corrosion Assessment of Duplex Stainless Steels as Candidate Constructional Materials for Pyrolysis Oils Storage and Transportation: Yimin Zeng1; Xue Han1; 1CanmetMATERIALS/Natural Resources Canada
Sustainable and renewable energy sources as alternatives of fossil fuels are getting more and more attention. Bio-oils produced from biomass via fast pyrolysis have been commercially available and used in food and pharmaceutical industries. However, the corrosivity of bio-oils remains as one of the critical challenges for their wide applications. Compared to the commonly used tank materials for crude oils, e.g., carbon steel and stainless steel, duplex stainless steels (DSS) are attractive candidate constructional materials for the storage and transportation of raw pyrolysis oils due to their high strength and corrosion resistance. This study investigates the corrosion susceptibility of DSS in raw pyrolysis oils provided by different suppliers under simulated operating conditions. The corrosion mode and extent are evaluated using weight change methods and advanced microscopy techniques. The results are expected to advance the standards and requirements on the storage and transportation of raw pyrolysis oils.
Transition-metal-mediated Thermal Stability of Spinel Cathode in Li-ion Battery by In Situ Neutron Scattering: Yan Chen1; Ke An1; 1Oak Ridge National Laboratory
The energy materials performance is intrinsically impacted by not only the average lattice structure but also the atom arrangement, valence and charge distribution of transition metal (TM) elements. The mechanism understandings of the structure transition and atom arrangement manipulation will accelerate the exploration of excellent materials for secondary rechargeable lithium-ion batteries use. Thanks to the capability of distinguishing TM elements, taking the high-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel cathode as an example, neutron scattering is used to pinpoint the thermal stability and kinetics of the transition and diffusions under annealing in the oxygen-deficient environment. In-situ neutron pair distribution function monitors the local structure and visualizes the destabilization of the TMO6 octahedra resulting from Mn4+ reduction. In-situ neutron diffraction reveals the spinel-to-layered-rock-salt transition and the TM atoms interdiffusion between the phases and between the crystallographic sites in the lattices. The Mn3+ formation is found to be the trigger to the spinel instability.