(NURP) Nanoarchitectured Nickel Hydroxide Cathodes for Energy Dense, Safe, Rechargeable Nickel Zinc Batteries
Abstract
ABSTRACT (Approved for Public Release):Rechargeable batteries are critical components of multiple Department of the Navy (DoN) applications including unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), portable electronic devices, and stationary energy~storage systems. Lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art energy-storage technology due their high specific energy and energy density, butsuffer from significant safety issues that can result in fires and explosions, cause injury or death to personnel, and critically affect naval missions. The alkaline nickel~zinc (Ni~Zn) battery is an attractive alternative to Li-ion because it uses benign and nonflammable electrode and electrolyte materials. Recent work at the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) demonstrated that aqueousNi~Zn batteries in which the zinc anode is replaced with a 3D ~sponge architecture~ yields unprecedented zinc-specific capacity and solves the century-old problem of zinc dendrite formation. The NRL Zn anode presents a potentially disruptive technology that can compete with Li-ion batteries at a systems level (when all packaging and management hardware is included), butwith significantly improved safety under operation and storage. Nickel~zinc batteries are also a ready replacement for legacy lead-acid batteries that persist in many Navy vessels. Obtaining energy-dense cathode structures remains a key challenge to developing practical rechargeable Ni~Zn batteries using these next-generation anodes.The proposed research will establish synthetic/fabrication routes to high-capacity Ni(OH)2~based cathodes to enable rechargeable, safe Ni~Zn batteries with high energy density. The objectives will be achieved by: (i) determining the capacity of Ni(OH)2~based cathode nanomaterials as affected by isomorphic substitution and incorporation of carbon on the nanoscale;and (ii) developing 3D nanoarchitectured Ni cathodes that deliver high capacity and high rate. Our aim is to increase the capacity of Ni-based materials beyond today~s one-electron process for current state-of-the art ~-Ni(OH)2 cathodes and thereby improve cell design from today~s cathodeheavy version required to balance the two-electron process inherent to zinc anodes. This Navy Undersea Research Program (NURP) proposal involves a collaborative effort between Texas State University and the NRL and provides support for Mr. Sam Kimmel, M. S. Student, Texas State University. Mr. Kimmel will perform research at NRL for two summers of his Master~s thesis project. The topic area and structure of the collaborative research program willprovide Mr. Kimmel with an excellent opportunity to deepen his research experience during his time at NRL and contribute to Navy-relevant research.The proposed effort will deepen understanding of factors affecting the charge storage of highcapacity aqueous cathode materials and enable the development of alkaline cathode materials that go beyond the energy~density limiting one-electron process. The project will further the development of rechargeable aqueous Ni~Zn batteries that provide high energy density that areinherently safer to operate than Li-ion batteries. Energy dense Ni~Zn batteries can be used for as backup power on many naval platforms, including submarines, surface vessels and UUVs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912526
Entities
People
- Christopher P Rhodes
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Texas State University
- United States Navy