Presenter: Paul Cardon
Authors: Paul Cardon, Xuming Wang, Jan Miller
Faculty Advisor: Xuming Wang
Institution: University of Utah
In this study, halloysite clay nanotube (HNT) modified solid-polymer electrolytes were evaluated for high voltage lithium-ion batteries. One of the major challenges facing solid-state lithium-ion batteries is the incompatibility between the solid electrolyte and electrodes, which negatively affects the battery charge/discharge cycling performance. To address this, efforts to improve the interfacial compatibility for high voltage batteries (Li-NMC 811) were made via the addition of multiple lithium salts into the electrolyte composition to pair with a solid lithium metal electrode. This new electrolyte was evaluated by electrochemical methods, including ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability measurements. Finally, Li-NMC 811 batteries were fabricated and charge/discharge cycling tests performed to examine the cycling performance. A stable cycling performance was achieved with a charge/discharge voltage range of 2.8—4.3 V. The capacity reached about 160 mAh/g at 60 OC at a constant charge/discharge current of 8 µA.