Research Highlights
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Elucidating Zn and Mg Electrodeposition Mechanisms in Nonaqueous Electrolytes for Next-Generation Metal Batteries
The development of nonaqeuous electrolytes enabling reversible and efficient deposition/stripping of multivalent metals has been hindered because of the complexity of electrolyte properties and behaviors. Different cations exhibit different deposition efficacy. Our research explores Zn and Mg deposition mechanisms and explains differences between the two cations. Read More
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Addressing Passivation in Lithium-Sulfur Battery Under Lean Electrolyte Condition
Identification and understanding of cycle life limiting factors of Li-S batteries under lean electrolyte conditions; Identification of a NH4TFSI additive to effectively mitigate the uncontrollable passivation issue arising from accumulation of insulating Li2S. Read More
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Nanostructured Electrolytes for Stabilizing Lithium Metal Anodes
The addition of salt to block copolymers results in the spontaneous and surprising formation of well-ordered lamellae in a sample that originally had a disordered morphology. Read More
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A Molecular Dynamics Study of Lithium-Containing Aprotic Heterocyclic Ionic Liquid Electrolytes
Molecular dynamics simulation was carried out on 12 aprotic heterocyclic anion ionic liquid based electrolyte systems and (methyloxymethyl)triethylphosphonium triazolide was found to have the best performance. Read More
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The Nanoscale Structure of the Electrolyte-metal Oxide Interface
Observation of molecular layering and insight into Li-ion salt concentration dependence of molecular orientation at metal-oxide electrolyte interfaces relevant to Li-ion batteries. Read More
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Improved Performance through Tight Coupling of Redox Cycles of Sulfur and 2,6-Polyanthraquinone in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
We showed that the incorporation of an all-organic redox-active polymer 2,6-polyanthraquinone (PAQ) into the cathode improves capacity retention in galvanostatic cycling and inhibits Li corrosion and S deposition. Redox reactions of this polymer are shown to be strongly coupled to S redox cycle. Read More
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Lithium Self-Discharge and its Prevention: Direct Visualization through In-Situ Electrochemical STEM
We show that Li anode morphology and solid electrolyte interphase structure is dependent on surface compression, which affects the amount of self-discharge for an exciting solvent-in-salt electrolyte. Additionally, we show that coatings can suppress self-discharge. Read More
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Multielectron Cycling of a Low Potential Anolyte in Alkali Metal Electrolytes for Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
High energy density organic redox flow batteries can only be realized when stable light-weight organic redox systems are developed, multi-electron redox molecules in combination with light-weight supporting electrolytes pave the way to this goal. Read More
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Towards Low Resistance Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Sources of resistive losses were experimentally minimized for a nonaqueous flow cell for various active species concentrations, electrolyte compositions, flow rates, separators, and electrode thicknesses. Read More
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Annulated Dialkoxybenzenes as Catholyte Materials for Non-aqueous Redox Flow Batteries: Achieving High Chemical Stability Through Bicyclic Substitution
9,10-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8- octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanenoanthracene (BODMA) was developed for use as the catholyte in non-aqueous redox flow batteries. The bicyclic scaffolds prevent the ring-addition reaction, showing superior chemical stability in the charged state. A hybrid flow cell using this catholyte is operated for 150 charge-discharge cycles with a minimal loss of capacity. Read More
Latest Updates
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You’re Invited - JCESR and Beyond: Translating the Basic Science of Batteries
Please join us at Argonne National Laboratory on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 for JCESR and Beyond: Translating the Basic Science of Batteries. Registration is now open. This in-person event will celebrate 10 years of research from the Joint Center… Read More
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A Message from JCESR: In Memory of George Crabtree
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to George Crabtree, a Senior Scientist and Distinguished Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, and Director of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), who passed away unexpectedly on January 23. Dr. Read More
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Cyanopyridines As Extremely Low-Reduction-Potential Anolytes for Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Discovery of a cyanophenylpyridine derivative with a very low reduction potential and good stability during cycling. Read More
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Characterizing Redoxmer – Electrode Kinetics Using a SECM-Based Spot Analysis Method
Identified asymmetries in electron transfer (ET) kinetics between the reduction and oxidation of ferrocene-based redoxmers by measuring the ET rate constants (kf/kb) as a function of electrode potential. Read More
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Benzotriazoles as Low Potential Anolytes for Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
We developed an easy-to-synthesize benzotriazole-based anolyte with a high energy redox potential (-2.3 V vs Fc/Fc+) and high solubility that demonstrates stable electrochemical cycling performance. Read More