Development of improved alloy-based anodes for high energy density sodium-ion batteries

Li-ion batteries are currently comprised of materials which are fairly energy intensive to mine and process which reduces their degree of sustainability. One promising approach to overcome this obstacle is to develop high capacity anode and cathode materials that use sodium which is significantly more abundant and less energy intensive to process from either sea water or salt deposits. This research aims to develop stable anode recipes using phosphorous nanoparticles as an alloying element capable of 2696 mAh/g compared to the 372 mAh/g of current graphite anodes in Li-ion batteries. However, these particles when alloyed with sodium, expand significantly and cause cracking and pulverization of the electrode resulting in rapid capacity fade. In this project, we will develop a graphene-wrapped particle system with engineered void space to accommodate the large volume expansion and solve these stability issues.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Pope

Student:

Partner:

Universität Duisburg-Essen

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Clean Technology; Nanotechnology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: