Katerina Aifantis

Abstract:

Efficient and environmentally benign energy production and storage are two main issues that need to be resolved in our century. The present talk will give an overview on how the use of nanotechnology can benefit both of these sectors, with particular focus given on the development of next generation secondary batteries. The main challenge to overcome up until now was the use of Si as the negative electrode in Li-ion cells, since upon the formation of Si-Li alloys the capacity can be up to ten times greater than it is during Li-intercalation in commercially used graphite. The drawback with Si is it's large volume expansion and subsequent fracture during Li-insertion, which however, has been highly overcome though the use of Si/C nanocomposites. Hence, companies in Asia will begin the commercialization of such anodes this year. Attention therefore, is now given to Li-air, Li-S, and even Na-ion batteries.