Batteries

1604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxic Gas Emissions from Damaged Lithium Ion Batteries—Analysis and Safety Enhancement Solution

by Antonio Nedjalkov, Jan Meyer, Michael Köhring, Alexander Doering, Martin Angelmahr, Sebastian Dahle, Andreas Sander, Axel Fischer and Wolfgang Schade

Batteries 2016, 2(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010005 - 7 Mar 2016

Cited by 96 | Viewed by 37556

Abstract

Lithium ion batteries play an increasing role in everyday life, giving power to handheld devices or being used in stationary storage solutions. Especially for medium or large scale solutions, the latter application confines a huge amount of energy within a small volume; however, increasing the hazard potential far above the common level. Furthermore, as the safety hazards of lithium ion cells have been known for years, impressively shown by several burning cars or laptops, the need for a further enhancement of the safety of these systems is rising. This manuscript presents measurements of the gas emission from lithium ion batteries in case of a malfunction for different scenarios, showing a large variety of species with mostly toxic to highly toxic properties. The measurements were carried out using a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), photoacoustic spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. It is shown that the inflammation of a cell can be overcome, also preventing a cascading effect to neighboring cells, but giving rise to worse toxic gas emission. Furthermore, a filtration concept is presented that decreases the concentration of the emitted components significantly and promises filtration below immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) equivalent levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Battery Safety)

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6028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructures of the Activated Si-Containing AB₂ Metal Hydride Alloy Surface by Transmission Electron Microscope

by Kwo-hsiung Young, Benjamin Chao and Jean Nei

Batteries 2016, 2(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010004 - 7 Mar 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6927

Abstract

The surface microstructure of an activated Si-containing AB₂ metal hydride (MH) alloy was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Regions of the main AB₂ and the secondary TiNi (B2 structure) phases directly underneath the surface Zr oxide/hydroxide layers are considered electrochemically inactive. The surface of AB₂ is covered, on the atomic scale, by sheets of Ni₂O₃ with direct access to electrolyte and voids, without the buffer oxide commonly seen in Si-free AB₂ alloys. This clean oxide/bulk metal alloy interface is believed to be the main source of the improvements in the low-temperature performance of Si-containing AB₂ alloys. Sporadic metallic-Ni clusters can be found in the surface Ni₂O₃ region. However, the density of these clusters is much lower than the Ni-inclusions found in most typical metal hydride surface oxides. A high density of nano-sized metallic Ni-inclusions (1–3 nm) is found in regions associated with the TiNi secondary phase, i.e., in the surface oxide layer and in the grain boundary, which can also contribute to enhancement of the electrochemical performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries)

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691 KiB

Open AccessReview

Capacity Degradation Mechanisms in Nickel/Metal Hydride Batteries

by Kwo-hsiung Young and Shigekazu Yasuoka

Batteries 2016, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010003 - 1 Mar 2016

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 21586

Abstract

The consistency in capacity degradation in a multi-cell pack (>100 cells) is critical for ensuring long service life for propulsion applications. As the first step of optimizing a battery system design, academic publications regarding the capacity degradation mechanisms and possible solutions for cycled nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) rechargeable batteries under various usage conditions are reviewed. The commonly used analytic methods for determining the failure mode are also presented here. The most common failure mode of a Ni/MH battery is an increase in the cell impedance due to electrolyte dry-out that occurs from venting and active electrode material degradation/disintegration. This work provides a summary of effective methods to extend Ni/MH cell cycle life through negative electrode formula optimizations and binder selection, positive electrode additives and coatings, electrolyte optimization, cell design, and others. Methods of reviving and recycling used/spent batteries are also reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries)

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11012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Technical Report of the Robust Affordable Next Generation Energy Storage System-BASF Program

by Kwo-hsiung Young, K. Y. Simon Ng and Leonid A. Bendersky

Batteries 2016, 2(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010002 - 1 Feb 2016

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 10726

Abstract

The goal of the Robust Affordable Next Generation Energy Storage System (RANGE)-BASF program is to provide an alternative solution for the energy storage media that powers electric vehicles other than the existing Li-ion battery. With the use of a rare-earth-free metal hydride (MH) as the active negative electrode material, together with a core-shell type alpha-beta nickel hydroxide as the active positive electrode and a sealed pouch design, an energy density of 145 Wh·kg⁻¹ and cost model of $120 kWh⁻¹ are shown to be feasible. Combined with the proven safety record and cycle stability, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using a Ni-MH battery in EV applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries)

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4895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Study of Na₂Fe_1−xMn_xP₂O₇ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) as Cathode Material for Rechargeable Na-Ion Batteries

by Cristina Tealdi, Monica Ricci, Chiara Ferrara, Giovanna Bruni, Eliana Quartarone and Piercarlo Mustarelli

Batteries 2016, 2(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010001 - 15 Jan 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 9400

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered a good choice for post-lithium devices. Transition metal sodium pyrophosphates are among the most interesting cathode materials for SIBs. Here we study the electrochemical properties of the system Na₂Fe_1−xMn_xP₂O₇ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). By means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic experiments, we confirm that pure Fe and Fe-rich compounds are promising for application in sodium batteries, whereas Mn-rich samples are less satisfactory, at least in case of solid-state reaction recipes and standard slurry preparations. Proper carbon coating is likely needed to improve the electrochemical behavior of Mn-rich samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rechargeable Battery Technologies--From Materials to Applications)

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Batteries, Volume 2, Issue 1 (March 2016) – 5 articles

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