Research

The project for improving the private university research -- Development of High-Performance and High-Safety Li-ion Battery
Project leader： Juang Ruey-Shin
Co-Project leader： Hung I-Ming, Hsieh Chien-Te, Wu Ho-Shing, Po-Chih Yang, Huang Chun, Shuo-Jen Lee, Chi-Yuan Lee, Henyi Jen
Project number： NSC99-2632-E155-001-MY3
Project title： Development of High-Performance and High-Safety Li-ion Battery
Project duration： 99/08/01~102/07/31
Institution/Department： Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University
Abstract:
There are continuingly increasing demands for portable energy resources since 3C electronics are moving towards the lightweight and compact trends. Li-ion batteries have widely studied in the research field of portable energy sources because of their high working voltage, low self-discharge rate, superior energy density, and long shelf life. Li-ion batteries possess qualities superior to those of traditional energy sources, allowing them to become the most promising energy resource in this industry.
This project focuses on the development of novel cathode, anode materials, electrolyte solution, and polymeric separator for vehicle high-power Li-ion battery. LiFePO4 cathode and Li4Ti5O12 anode materials have attracted considerable attention due to their high C-rate performance and low cost. The improvements of its low conductivity and recycle ability are important crucial issues and need to be resolved. This project includes six subprojects for the development of high-performance and high safety Li-ion batteries. The working items of this three-year project includes: subproject I: Development and application of cathode materials; subproject II: Development and application of anode materials; subproject III: Development of the additives in electrolyte; subproject IV: Plasma modification and the improvement of electrochemical performance and mass transfer of separator; subproject V: In-situ monitoring of Li-ion battery voltage, current, and temperature, and subproject VI: Comprehensive patent analysis and design strategies.

                              Fig. 1 The working principle and electrochemical reaction of Li-ion battery.[1]

Upon discharging, lithium ions spontaneously leave the cathode electrode and travel through the electrolyte and the anode electrode. This flow of positive lithium ions is the electrical current that the battery provides. By charging the cell, the lithium ion travels back from anode the cathode.[1]
The purposes of this project not only develop advanced techniques for the fabrication of Li-ion batteries, but also improve the charge-discharge performance of Li-ion batteries which can apply in electric vehicle market. In summary, the features of this project includes: (i) synthesis of novel cathode and anode materials, (ii) application of plasma on separator modification, (iii) development of new electrolyte and investigation the relation between electrodes and electrolyte, and (iv) development an in-situ safety monitor system.
The project is an cooperation research work with professors and researchers who in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, and Department of Industrial Engineering & Management in Engineering College of Yuan Ze University (YZU), to design and develop the high-performance and high-safety Li-ion batteries. Li-ion battery is an important energy storage device and it can be integrated with other green energy system, such as fuel cell and solar cell, which were developed in YSZ now. This project can follow up the feature of YZU Vision 20 and was designated as the 1st Recommendable Research Project in YZU. The anticipated results from this project are to establish a high-performance and high safety Li-ion battery in YZU. It can provide a basic understanding of chemistry, physics, and engineering of mass transport in and out of organic/inorganic materials, and invent novel Li-ion battery system to open up a new opportunity for the education and training of engineers in Li-ion battery research.

References:
1. M. Winter, J. O. Besenhard, M. E. Spahr and P. Novak, Adv. Mater. 10 (1998) 725.