An analytical method for the optimization of pore network in lithium-ion battery electrodes

Publication date: Available online 17 July 2019Source: Chemical Engineering Research and DesignAuthor(s): Guanghua Ye, Weiwen Tong, Xinlei Liu, Xinkuan Song, Jinghong Zhou, Xinggui ZhouAbstractEngineering the hierarchical pore network structure is one effective way to improve the lithium-ion battery electrodes without changing their materials chemistry. Herein, a simple yet powerful analytical method is developed to design the electrode with the hierarchical pore network. In this method, the analytical expression of the effective tortuosity is obtained as the objective function, which can well reflect the electrode performance. This method is validated in two limiting cases and one case between the two limiting cases, through comparing the analytical results with the numerical ones calculated by the Newman model. Employing this method, the electrode with the hierarchical pore network is optimized at different total porosities and electrode thicknesses. The optimal electrode with the hierarchical pore network shows up to 350% improvement in the energy density at 5C rate, when comparing to the conventional electrode. The analytical method in this work provides a useful tool for the optimization of the lithium-ion battery electrodes.Graphical abstract
Source: Chemical Engineering Research and Design - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research
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