Rapid Microwave-solvothermal Synthesis and Surface Modification of Nanostructured Phospho-olivine Cathodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

Background Lithium ion batteries offer higher energy density compared to other rechargeable systems such as nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Due to their higher energy density, lithium ion batteries have become the choice of power source for portable electronic devices such as laptop computers and cell phones.

Lithium ion batteries currently use layered LiCoO2 as a cathode material, but cobalt is relatively expensive and toxic. The high cost of cobalt is preventing the development of the lithium ion battery technology for hybrid and electric vehicle applications. In this regard, LiFePO4 crystallizing in the olivine structure has become appealing, as iron is inexpensive and environmentally benign. However, LiFePO4 has to be synthesized as a nanomaterial to decrease the lithium diffusion length, and the grains must be decorated with conductive carbon to increase the electronic conductivity.

Current methods employed to achieve acceptable electronic and lithium ion conductivities are expensive and time-consuming, involving multiple steps and annealing in reduced atmospheric environments. The novel method developed at UT is capable of obtaining well-defined nanostructured LiFePO4 powder within 15 minutes, with high crystallinity at low temperatures without any further heat treatment required.

Invention Description Inventors at The University of Texas at Austin have created a novel method for manufacturing LiFePO4 for use in cathodes to create lithium ion batteries. By adopting this novel process, the investigators have shown the ability to synthesize pristine LiFePO4, thereby improving manufacturing cleanliness, shortening reaction times, and increasing energy savings. This method offers small nano-sized LiFePO4 particles with a uniform size distribution and high crystallinity.

Benefits

Low manufacturing cost Reduced time to manufacture

Market Potential/Applications This novel method offers a cost-effective route to manufacture the lithium iron phosphate cathodes in a reliable and consistent manner for high power lithium ion batteries that are of interest for power tool, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in electric vehicles applications.

Development Stage Proof of concept

IP Status One U.S. patent application filed

UT Researcher Arumugam Manthiram, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin Arumugam V. Murugan, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin Muraliganth Theivanayagam, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

Type of Offer: Licensing



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