Koichi Ui

Li EXCESS Li4+xTi5-xO12-δ/C COMPOSITE USING SPRAY-DRYING METHOD AND ITS ELECTRODE PROPERTIES

We have prepared a lithium excess carbon composite material, Li4+xTi5-xO12-δ/C (LTO/C), using various amounts of sucrose as a carbon source by the spray-drying method. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and elemental analysis. The prepared material had the Li4Ti5O12 phase including 3.9–18.4 wt.% carbon. Transmission electron microscopy images and the selected area diffraction (SAD) pattern showed that the prepared materials consisted of a carbon nanonetwork in the LTO/C composite. The charge–discharge cycling tests were carried out using the R2032 coin-type cell under the following conditions; 1.2–3.0 V, 0.1 C–10 C (1 C = 175 mA g-1), 25°C. Based on the electrochemical results, the electrode performance of the prepared material was improved with increasing amounts of residual carbon, in particular, LTO/C including 6.2 wt.% residual carbon exhibited the best electrode performance of 156 mAh g-1 at 1 C during 50 cyclings when compared to the other materials.

In situ Scanning Electron Microscopy of Silicon Anode Reactions in Lithium-Ion Batteries during Charge/Discharge Processes

A comprehensive understanding of the charge/discharge behaviour of high-capacity anode active materials, e.g., Si and Li, is essential for the design and development of next-generation high-performance Li-based batteries. Here, we demonstrate the in situ scanning electron microscopy (in situ SEM) of Si anodes in a configuration analogous to actual lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with an ionic liquid (IL) that is expected to be a functional LIB electrolyte in the future. We discovered that variations in the morphology of Si active materials during charge/discharge processes is strongly dependent on their size and shape. Even the diffusion of atomic Li into Si materials can be visualized using a back-scattering electron imaging technique. The electrode reactions were successfully recorded as video clips. This in situ SEM technique can simultaneously provide useful data on, for example, morphological variations and elemental distributions, as well as electrochemical data.

In situ SEM observation of the Si negative electrode reaction in an ionic-liquid-based lithium-ion secondary battery.

By exploiting characteristics such as negligible vapour pressure and ion-conductive nature of an ionic liquid (IL), we established an in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) method to observe the electrode reaction in the IL-based Li-ion secondary battery (LIB). When 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][FSA]) with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (Li[TFSA]) was used as the electrolyte, the Si negative electrode exhibited a clear morphology change during the charge process, without any solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formation, while in the discharge process, the appearance was slightly changed, suggesting that a morphology change is irreversible in the charge-discharge process. On the other hand, the use of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][TFSA]) with Li[TFSA] did not induce a change in the Si negative electrode. It is interesting to note this distinct contrast, which could be attributed to SEI layer formation from the electrochemical breakdown of [C2mim](+) at the Si negative electrode|separator interface in the [C2mim][TFSA]-based LIB. This in situ SEM observation technique could reveal the effect of the IL species electron-microscopically on the Si negative electrode reaction.

SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF NANO FIBER HOLLANDITE-TYPE MANGANESE OXIDES USING A HYDROTHERMAL METHOD

Hollandite-type MnO2 and its Co-substituted samples have been synthesized by hydrothermal method from MnSO4, CoSO4 and K2S2O8 solutions. The hydrothermal products from MnSO4 and K2S2O8 solutions consisted of the hollandite-type [2 × 2] tunnel structure at 100°C–150°C for 12 h, which was transformed to pyrolusite-type [1 × 1] tunnel structure by hydrothermal treatment at 150°C for longer times of 24–48 h or at a higher temperature of 180°C. On the other hand, the hydrothermal products from MnSO4, CoSO4 and K2S2O8 solutions at 150°C–180°C for 12–48 h consisted of the hollandite-type MnO2 phase. The Co-substituted samples showed higher initial discharge capacity (180–200 mAh (g-oxide)-1) than that of non-substituted hollandite-type MnO2 (130–160 mAh (g-oxide)-1) at 50 mA g-1.

Direct-DME SOFC for Intermediate Operation Temperature Using Proton Conductor as the Electrolyte

Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 102-1 Tomino, Oshamanbe, Hokkaido 049-3514, Japan Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan Department of Frontier Materials and Functional Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate 020-8551, Japan Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan