Advanced electrode processing of lithium ion batteries:A review of powder technology in battery fabrication

Lithium ion batteries have achieved extensive applications in portable electronics and recently in electronic vehicles since its commercialization in 1990s.The vast applications of lithium ion batteries are not only derived from the innovation in electrochemistry based on emerging energy materials and chemical engineering science,but also the technological advances in the powder technologies for electrode processing and cell fabrication.Revealing the effects of powder technology on electrode microstructure evolution during electrode processing is with critical value to realize the superior electrochemical performance.This review presents the progress in understanding the basic principles of the materials processing technologies for electrodes in lithium ion batteries.The impacts of slurry mixing and coating,electrode drying,and calendering on the electrode characteristics and electrochemical performance are comprehensively analyzed.Conclusion and outlook are drawn to shed fresh lights on the further development of efficient lithium ion batteries by advancing powder technologies and related advanced energy materials.

A Study of Making Iron Aluminide Alloy Powders with New Rotating Electrode Technology

A new process was used for producing FeAl alloy pow de rs with double consumable rotating electrodes and the powders made in this appar atus were analyzed. In this new technology, tungsten rod serves as a cathode ele ctrode, while the alloy rod as an anode electrode. The conventional rotating ele ctrode process must have an anode with pre-melting alloys; however, in this new process, using pure iron as cathode electrode and pure aluminum as anode electr ode can eliminate the step of pre-melting. The effects of process variables, which include electrode rotational speed, a nd electrode diameter of the mean particle diameter were determined. Results showed that both the rotational speed and diameter of electrodes would a ffect the mean diameter of particles. There are three kinds of powders with diff erent composition produced in this study and the possible mechanisms are discuss ed. The process parameters and volume mean diameter of the powders have been cor related to find an experimental equation. The results show that when the rotational speed and the diameter of the anode el ectrode are increased, the powders size will decrease. However, the powders size will increase with cathode electrode.

Plasma preparation and low-temperature sintering of spherical TiC –Fe composite powder

A spherical Fe matrix composite powder containing a high volume fraction （82vo1%） of fine TiC reinforcement was produced using a novel process combining in situ synthesis and plasma techniques. The composite powder exhibited good sphericity and a dense structure, and the fine sub-micron TiC particles were homogeneously distributed in the α-Fe matrix. A TiC-Fe cermet was prepared from the as-prepared spherical composite powder using powder metallurgy at a low sintering temperature; the product exhibited a hardness of HRA 88.5 and a flexural strength of 1360 MPa. The grain size of the fine-grained TiC and special surface structure of the spherical powder played the key roles in the fabrication process.

Nanostructured yttrium aluminum garnet powders synthesized by co-precipitation method using tetraethylenepentamine

Tetraethylenepentamine(C8H23N5,TEPA) has been used as a novel precipitant to synthesize yttrium aluminum garnet(Y3Al5O12,YAG) precursor from a mixed solution of aluminum and yttrium nitrates via a normal-strike co-precipitation method without controlling the pH value during precipitation process.The original precursor was analyzed by thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry(TG/DSC).The evolution of phase composition and micro-structure of the as-synthesized YAG powders were characterized by X-ray ...

Synthesis of Ultrafine Fe_3O_4 Powder via a Novel Ageing Process

Ultrafine Fe3O4 powder was successfully synthesized via a novel ageing process from a precursor FeO（OH）, which was the hydrolysate of FeCl3 in the urea solution. The structure of as-synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and the morphology of these nanoparticles was investigated using a transmission electron microscope （TEM）. Pure phase Fe3O4 was obtained and the mean diameter of these nanoparticles was about 21 nm.Furthermore, the study indicated that the precursor FeO（OH） played an important role in the formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The mechanism was also discussed.

Fabrication of Ni_3Al by hot pressing from element powders

Ni3Al intermetaUic was synthesized by hot pressing from element powders of nickel, aluminum, and boron. The influences of parameters on the properties of Ni3Al were investigated. The parameters include the particle size of nickel powder, adding or without boron powder, hot pressing temperature, etc. The properties include the density of hot-pressed samples, resultant redo of Ni3A1 phase, and bending strength. The microstructures of hot-pressed samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scan electronic microscopy, and the properties, such as density and bending strength, were also measured. The results show that a higher bending strength was obtained under the same hot pressing conditions by the fine nickel powder than the coarse one, and there is little difference about density. Boron powder added in this process accelerates the formation of Ni3Al and markedly increases the hot pressed density. In the temperature range of this study, the density increases along with the hot pressing temperature. Full dense Ni3Al samples were obtained under the condition of 860℃, 10 min, 45 MPa from Ni-22.89A1-0.5B powder.

Corrosion properties in a simulated body fluid of Mg/β-TCP composites prepared by powder metallurgy

Magnesium matrix composites （MMC） reinforced with 5wt% tricalcium phosphate （TCP） particles were prepared by powder metallurgy. Pure magnesium （CP-Mg） was fabricated by the same procedure for comparison. Scanning electron microscopy and en- ergy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed that TCP particles were distributed homogeneously in the MMC. In order to investi- gate the corrosion properties, MMC samples were immersed in a simulated body fluid （SBF） at 310~0.5 K for 72 h. The mass loss of the samples in SBF and the pH values of the SBF were evaluated. Moreover, electrochemical measurements were conducted in the SBF. It was shown that the corrosion rate of the MMC decreased with the addition of TCP compared with CP-Mg. Hydroxyapatite was formed on the surface of MMC samples after immersion in the SBF for 72 h but not on the surface of CP-Mg.

Selective-adsorption Removal of Methyl Orange(MO) by CTAB-assisted AgBr Powder

The AgBr powder was prepared by a hydrothermal method via a reaction of AgNO3 with hexadecyltrimethy ammonium bromide（CTAB）,namely,CTAB-assisted synthesis method.The selective-adsorption ability of the AgBr samples for the MO was evaluated in a MO and Rhodamine B mixed solution via ultraviolet-visible spectra.Compared with the AgBr sample prepared from NaBr solution,it was found that the AgBr powder synthesized by CTAB-assisted method exhibited high selective-adsorption performance for the MO in the MO-RhB mixed system.After aged for 60 min,the MO could be efficiently removed by CTAB-assisted AgBr powder.Considering the potential wide applications of the selective adsorption,the CTAB-assisted AgBr provides a new and efficient method for the removal of various dyes and is possible to be widely used in industries.

Microstructure Development during Extrusion of Mechanically Alloyed Powder

Sections from partially extruded bars of iron base MA956 and nickel base MA758 were studied using a combination of microscopy with heat treating method. It has been found that the mechanically alloyed powder, prior to extrusion, had a heavily deformed microstructure with hardness higher than the extrusion products, and there was no dynamic recrystallization during the mechanical alloying process. Clear evidence revealed dynamic primary recrystallization during extrusion in the nickel base alloy, but not in the steel, in accord with earlier observations of fully extruded materials. In MA758, primary recrystallization which normally happens during extrusion process can indeed be induced by simple high temperature heat treatment of the mechanically alloyed powder.

Microstructure Development during Extrusion of Mechanically Alloyed Powder

Sections from partially extruded bars of iron-base MA956 and nickel-base MA758 were studied using acombination of microscopy and heat treating methods. It was found that the mechanically alloyed powder,prior to extrusion , had a heavily deformied microstructure with hardness higher than the extrusion pro -ducts, and there was no dynamic recrystallization during the mechanical alloying process. Clear evidencerevealed dynamic primary recrystallization during extrusion in the nickel-base alloy, but not in the steel,inaccord with earlier observations of fully extruded materials. In MA758, primary recrystallization which normally happens during extrusion process can indeed be induced by simple high temperature heat treatment of the mechanically alloyed powder.

Sintering behavior, microstructure and properties of TiC-FeCr hard alloy

TiC based cermets were produced with FeCr, as a binder, by conventional P/M （powder metallurgy） to near 〉97% of the theoretical density. Sintering temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties of the composite. The sintering temperature of 〉1360℃ caused severe chemical reaction between TiC particles and the binder phase. In the TiC-FeCr cermets, the mechanical properties did not vary linearly with the carbide content. Optimum mechanical properties were found in the composite containing 57wt% TiC reinforcement, when sintered at 1360℃ for 1 h. Use of carbon as an additive enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Cermets containing carbon as an additive with 49wt% TiC exhibited attractive mechanical properties. The microstructure of the developed composite contained less or no debonding, representing good wettabifity of the binder with TiC particles. Homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles ensured the presence of isotropic mechanical properties and homogeneous distribution of stresses in the composite. Preliminary experiments for evaluation of the oxidation resistance of FeCr bonded TiC cermets indicate that they are more resistant than WC-Co hardmetals.

碳化铬粉的研制与生产

从理论分析得出了碳化铬粉生产的工艺条件,通过试验得到了合格的产品并组织了批量生产,讨论了最佳 的工艺条件及存在的问题。

Amination of biochar surface from watermelon peel for toxic chromium removal enhancement

Watermelon peel residues were used to produce a new biochar by dehydration method.The new biochar has undergone two methods of chemical modification and the effect of this chemical modification on its ability to adsorb Cr(VI)ions from aqueous solution has been investigated.Three biochars,Melon-B,Melon-BO-NH_(2) and Melon-BO-TETA,were made from watermelon peel via dehydration with 50%sulfuric acid to give Melon-B followed by oxidation with ozone and amination using ammonium hydroxide to give Melon-BO-NH_(2) or Triethylenetetramine(TETA)to give Melon-BO-TETA.The prepared biochars were characterized by BET,BJH,SEM,FT-IR,TGA,DSC and EDAX analyses.The highest removal percentage of Cr(VI)ions was 69%for Melon-B,98%for Melon-BO-NH_(2) and 99%for Melon-BO-TETA biochars of 100 mg·L^(−1) Cr(VI)ions initial concentration and 1.0 g·L^(−1) adsorbents dose.The unmodified biochar(Melon-B)and modified biochars(Melon-BO-NH_(2) and Melon-BO-TETA)had maximum adsorption capacities(Q_(m))of 72.46,123.46,and 333.33 mg·g^(−1),respectively.The amination of biochar reduced the pore size of modified biochar,whereas the surface area was enhanced.The obtained data of isotherm models were tested using different error function equations.The Freundlich,Tempkin and Langmuir isotherm models were best fitted to the experimental data of Melon-B,Melon-BO-NH_(2) and Melon-BO-TETA,respectively.The adsorption rate was primarily controlled by pseudo-second–order rate model.Conclusively,the functional groups interactions are important for adsorption mechanisms and expected to control the adsorption process.The adsorption for the Melon-B,Melon-BO-NH_(2) and Melon-BO-TETA could be explained for acid–base interaction and hydrogen bonding interaction.

Structural,electrical and magnetic studies on Y-Fe-O system

The compounds of iron substituted yttrium oxide systems have been prepared for the importance in the field of magneto electric materials.The polycrystalline samples of Y2–xFexO3–y(x=0.1,0.2) were prepared by solid-state reaction method.The single-phase formation of these compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.It was found that the samples crystallized in tetragonal phase and the lattice parameters were calculated as a=1.0559(7) nm,c=1.0832(9) nm for Y1.9Fe0.1O3–y and a=1.0545(6) nm,c=1.0841(8)...

Spray pyrolysis synthesis of nickel-rich layered cathodes LiNi_(1-2x)Co_xMn_xO_2(x = 0.075, 0.05, 0.025) for lithium-ion batteries

In this study we report a series of nickel-rich layered cathodes LiNi1-2xCoxMnxO2（x = 0.075, 0.05,0.025） prepared from chlorides solution via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. SEM images illustrate that the samples are submicron-sized particles and the particle sizes increase with the increase of Ni content.LiNi0.85Co0.075Mn0.075O2 delivers a discharge capacity of 174.9 mAh g-1 with holding 93% reversible capacity at 1 C after 80 cycles, and can maintain a discharge capacity of 175.3 mAh g-1 at 5 C rate. With increasing Ni content, the initial specific capacity increases while the cycling and rate performance degrades in some extent. These satisfying results demonstrate that spray pyrolysis is a powerful and efficient synthesis technology for producing Ni-rich layered cathode（Ni content 〉 80%）.

A Cost-Effective Co-precipitation Method for Synthesizing Indium Tin Oxide Nanoparticles without Chlorine Contamination

Indium tin oxide （ITO） nanoparticles with crystallite size of 12.6 nm and specific surface area of 45.7 m 2 ·g-1 were synthesized by co-precipitation method.The indium solution was obtained by dissolving metal indium in HNO3.The tin solution was obtained by dissolving metal tin in HNO3 and followed by stabilizing with citric acid.The free of chlorine ions in the synthesis process brought several advantages：shortening the synthesis time,decreasing the particle agglomeration,decreasing the chlorine content in the ITO nanoparticles and improving the particle sinterability.This is the first time to report the synthesis of ITO nanoparticles free from chlorine contamination without using the expensive metal alkoxides as starting materials.

Enhanced Oxidation Resistance of Iron Nanoparticles via Surface Modification in Chemical Vapor Condensation Process

In order to prevent the oxide formation on the surface of nano-size iron particles and thereby to improve the oxidation resistance in ordinary condition, iron nanoparticles synthesized by a chemical vapor condensation method were directly soaked in hexadecanethiol solution to coat them with a polymer layer. Oxygen content in the polymer-coated iron nanoparticles was significantly lower than that in usual air-passivated particles possessing iron-core/oxide-shell structure. Accordingly, oxidation resistance of the polymer-coated particles at an elevated temperature below 130℃ in air was 10-40 times higher than that of the normally passivated particles.

SYNTHESIS OF ZnO NANOPARTICLES WITH NARROW SIZE DISTRIBUTION UNDER PULSED MICROWAVE HEATING

ZnO nanoparticles with very narrow size distribution were synthesized by coupling homogeneous precipi-tation with microemulsion under pulsed microwave heating. The conditions of preparing ZnO nanoparticles were inves-tigated. The products were characterized with DTA, TGA, XRD, TEM and UV-Vis. The synthesized ZnO nanopartices had much stronger ultraviolet absorptivity than normal ZnO powders; the average size of products was sensitive to the variation of the power or duration of microwave irradiation.

One-step solvothermal synthesis of N-doped TiO_2 nanoparticles with high photocatalytic activity in the reduction of aqueous Cr(Ⅵ)

N-doped TiO2 （N-TiO2） nanoparticles were synthesized via a one-step low temperature （180℃） solvothermal route, which adopted NH4NO3 as the nitrogen source. The structure, composition, BET specific surface area, and optical properties of the as-synthesized product were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N2 adsorption- desorption isotherms, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In addition, its photocatalytic properties were tested by the reduction of aqueous Cr（VI） under UV and visible light （x 〉 420 rim） irradiation. It was observed that for the reduction of aqueous Cr（VI）, the as-synthesized N-TiO2 nanoparticles not only exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than P25 TiO2 under UV light, but also exhibited remarkably high photocatalytic activity under visible light （λ 〉 420 nm）.

Synthesis and study of Bi_2Ti_2O_7/TiO_2 composites as efficient visible-light-active photocatalysts in the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI)

In this work, Bi2Ti2O7/TiO2 composites were synthesized and studied as potential visible-light-activated photocatalysts in the reduction of aqueous Cr（VI）. Bi2Ti2O7/TiO2 composites with tunable compositions were synthesized via a solvothermal-calcination two-step method, simply by changing the molar ratios of Bi（NO3）3·5H2O to tetrabutyl titanate in the reactants. The compositions, structures and optical properties of the as-synthesized Bi2Ti2O7/TiO2 composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized Bi2Ti2O7/TiO2 composites was tested in the reduction of aqueous Cr（VI）under visible-light（λ420 nm） irradiation, and compared with that of TiO2 nanoparticles. It was observed that the as-synthesized Bi2Ti2O7/TiO2 composites exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2 nanoparticles, and the most efficient composite（300 mg） can achieve the complete reduction of Cr（VI） in 300 mL of 50 mg/L K2Cr2O7 aqueous solution under visible-light（λ420 nm）irradiation in 90 min.