December 2, 2014, Research Highlights

Dendrite-Free Lithium Deposition with Self-Aligned Nanorod Structure

Using an electrolyte additive that can suppress Li dendrite formation and improve the performance of Li metal batteries, we have achieved for the first time the growth of dendrite-free lithium films with self-aligned and highly-compacted nanorod structure. Read More

November 24, 2014, Research Highlights

Synergistic Effects of Mixing Sulfone and Ionic Liquid as Safe Electrolytes for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

A strategy of mixing both an ionic liquid and sulfone is applied in Li-S batteries to give synergistic effects of reducing viscosity, increasing ionic conductivity, reducing polysulfide dissolution, and improving safety. Read More

November 12, 2014, Research Highlights

Understanding Side Reactions in K-O2 Batteries for Improved Cycle Life: a Combined DFT and Experimental Study

First comprehensive study of side reactions that dictate the fundamental electrochemistry of K-O2 battery has been carried out Read More

November 10, 2014, Research Highlights

High Rate and Stable Cycling of ​Lithium Metal Anode

Lithium metal is an ideal battery anode. However, dendrite growth and limited CE during cycling have limited its practical applications. High CE (up to 99.1%) without dendrite growth is achieved by using highly concentrated electrolytes for lithium plating/stripping. Read More

October 24, 2014, Research Highlights

Mechanistic Insight into the Formation of Cationic Naked Nanocrystals Generated Under Equilibrium Control

Developed a class of ligand-stripping reagents that stabilize the nanocrystal (NC) surface during the stripping reaction, leading to improved dispersibility. Read More

August 21, 2014, Research Highlights

Towards a Stable Organic Electrolyte for Li-O2 Batteries

The precise decomposition pathways of glyme solvents were identified. Read More

July 28, 2014, Research Highlights

Formation of Interfacial Layer and Long-Term Cyclability of Li-O2 Batteries

Identified key factors that affect the long term cycle life of Li-O2 batteries under full discharge/charge conditions. Read More

July 8, 2014, Research Highlights

The mechanisms of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in nonaqueous lithium-oxygen batteries

Superoxide radical anions (O2•−) are intermediates formed in non-aqueous lithium-oxygen batteries, which are very reactive but have a very short lifetime. Using 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline N-oxide as a spin trap, we stabilized these radicals and enabled direct verification of superoxide radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Read More

June 19, 2014, Research Highlights

Trace Water Catalyzes Lithium Peroxide Electrochemistry

Water at ppm levels catalyzes the conversion of lithium superoxide (LiO2) to lithium peroxide (Li2O2) by the reaction cycle shown. Because water is not consumed in the cycle, trace amounts leverage large effects. Read More

June 18, 2014, Research Highlights

Realizing the Electrolyte Genome

JCESR is building a highly sophisticated infrastructure for high-throughput evaluation of molecular properties. This involves coupling ab initio DFT methods with rapid classic molecular dynamics, calculations of redox potentials, and solvation structure while more detailed reactivity studies are carried out. Candidates that meet performance metrics for different types of battery applications (redox-flow, Li-air, Li-sulfur and multivalent) are prioritized for synthesis and testing. Read More