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*STTR
Project: Improved Performance of
Lithium-ion Cells at Low Temperature—MER
Corporation (Materials and Electrochemical Research), 7960 South Kolb Road,
Tucson, AZ 85706-9237; 520-574-1980
Dr.
Sohrab Hossain, Principal Investigator, shossain@mercorp.com
Dr.
Raouf O Loutfy, Business Official, rloutfy@mercorp.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER86251
Amount:
$750,000
Research
Institution
Brookhaven
National Laboratory
Upton,
NY
The
widespread uses of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs),
which use rechargeable batteries as the power source, could significantly reduce
U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Lithium-ion
batteries have great potential for such applications but need improvement in low
temperature performance. Therefore,
this project will develop technology to improve this low temperature performance
by incorporating anion receptor additives in the battery electrolytes. These
additives should be highly effective in dissociating ion-pairs and forming
complexes with the electrolyte anions, thereby improving ionic conductivity and
interfacial impedance. In Phase I,
several different types of electrolytes were prepared and their ionic
conductivity and electrode/electrolyte interfacial impedance were measured at
different low temperatures. Prototype
200 mAh lithium-ion cells were developed with these electrolytes, and their
performance was evaluated at both ambient temperatures and low temperatures. Phase
II will: (1) prepare electrolytes
with different combinations of salts, solvents, and anion-receptor additives,
(2) optimize salts, solvents, and additive combinations, (3) characterize the
developed electrolytes, (4) evaluate the electrolytes for lithium-ion battery
applications, and (5) develop prototype lithium-ion
cells and evaluate their performance.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits
as described by the awardee: The
technology should lead to the development of a highly effective,
low-temperature-performance electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries.