Rapid Recharge, High Voltage Li-Ion Battery Chemistry

The goal of the project is to develop a high-energy material for positive electrode of lithium-ion cell, and to build and test High Voltage, High Energy lithium-ion cell based on the material. In Phase I of the project, we synthesized the material, identified it as a lithium nickel-manganese spinel with Mn/Ni atomic ratio equal to 3, and proved that it can be used in high-voltage (above 4.5 V at room temperature) or safe (not prone to thermal runaway being overcharged) lithium-ion cells. The former ones employ carbonaceous negative electrode while the latter ones supposed to be coupled with safe lithium titanate spinel negative electrode. Different materials for negative electrode from various commercial sources will be acquired and evaluated. The objective of Phase II of the project is to improve and scale-up the method of the cathode material synthesis as well as on the positive and negative electrode fabrication process, and manufacture three 7Ah cells of each type. The cells will be tested at temperature interval from -20 to 50°C at rates up to 2C.