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Energy Storage Materials: Insights From ab Initio Theory: Diffusion, Structure, Thermodynamics and Design.
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Materials Theory.
2017 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The development of science and technology have provided a lifestyle completely dependent on energy consumption. Devices such as computers and mobile phones are good examples of how our daily life depends on electric energy. In this scenario, energy storage technologies emerge with strategic importance providing efficient ways to transport and commercialize the produced energy. Rechargeable batteries come as the most suitable alternative to fulfill the market demand due to their higher energy- and power- density when compared with other electrochemical energy storage systems. In this context, during the production of this thesis, promising compounds for advanced batteries application were investigated from the theoretical viewpoint. The framework of the density functional theory has been employed together with others theoretical tools to study properties such as ionic diffusion, redox potential, electronic structure and crystal structure prediction.

Different organic materials were theoretically characterized with quite distinct objectives. For instance, a protocol able to predict the redox potential in solution of long oligomers were developed and tested against experimental measurements. Strategies such as anchoring of small active molecules on polymers backbone have also been investigated through a screening process that determined the most promising candidates. Methods such as evolutionary simulation and basin-hopping algorithm were employed to search for global minimum crystal structures of small molecules and inorganic compounds working as a cathode of advanced sodium batteries. The crystal structure evolution of C6Cl4O2 upon Na insertion was unveiled and the main reasons behind the lower specific capacity obtained in the experiment were clarified. Ab initio molecular dynamics and the nudged elastic band method were employed to understand the underlying ionic diffusion mechanisms in the recently proposed Alluaudite and Eldfellite cathode materials. Moreover, it was demonstrated that electronic conduction in Na2O2, a byproduct of the Na-O2 battery, occurs via hole polarons hopping. Important physical and chemical insights were obtained during the production of this thesis. It finally supports the development of low production cost, environmental friendliness and efficient electrode compounds for advanced secondary batteries. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2017. , p. 83
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology, ISSN 1651-6214 ; 1584
Keywords [en]
Density Functional Theory, Defects Diffusion, Thermodynamics and Batteries.
National Category
Natural Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-331399ISBN: 978-91-513-0122-8 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-331399DiVA, id: diva2:1150752
Public defence
2017-12-07, Polhemsalen, Ångström Laboratory, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala, 13:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2017-11-15 Created: 2017-10-19 Last updated: 2018-03-07
List of papers
1. Borophane as a Benchmate of Graphene: A Potential 2D Material for Anode of Li and Na-Ion Batteries
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Borophane as a Benchmate of Graphene: A Potential 2D Material for Anode of Li and Na-Ion Batteries
2017 (English)In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, ISSN 1944-8244, E-ISSN 1944-8252, Vol. 9, no 19, p. 16148-16158Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Borophene, single atomic-layer sheet of boron (Science 2015, 350, 1513), is a rather new entrant into the burgeoning class of 2D materials. Borophene exhibits anisotropic metallic properties whereas its hydrogenated counterpart borophane is reported to be a gapless Dirac material lying on the same bench with the celebrated graphene. Interestingly, this transition of borophane also rendered stability to it considering the fact that borophene was synthesized under ultrahigh vacuum conditions on a metallic (Ag) substrate. On the basis of first-principles density functional theory computations, we have investigated the possibilities of borophane as a potential Li/Na-ion battery anode material. We obtained a binding energy of -2.58 (-1.08 eV) eV for Li (Na)-adatom on borophane and Bader charge analysis revealed that Li(Na) atom exists in Li+(Na+) state. Further, on binding with Li/Na, borophane exhibited metallic properties as evidenced by the electronic band structure. We found that diffusion pathways for Li/Na on the borophane surface are anisotropic with x direction being the favorable one with a barrier of 0.27 and 0.09 eV, respectively. While assessing the Li-ion anode performance, we estimated that the maximum Li content is Li0.445B2H2, which gives rises to a material with a maximum theoretical specific capacity of 504 mAh/g together with an average voltage of 0.43 V versus Li/Li+. Likewise, for Na-ion the maximum theoretical capacity and average voltage were estimated to be 504 mAh/g and 0.03 V versus Na/Na+, respectively. These findings unambiguously suggest that borophane can be a potential addition to the map of Li and Na-ion anode materials and can rival some of the recently reported 2D materials including graphene.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 2017
Keywords
borophene, borophane, Dirac material, Li-ion battery, Na-ion battery, Li/Na-diffusion
National Category
Materials Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-327151 (URN)10.1021/acsami.7b01421 (DOI)000401782500026 ()28443653 (PubMedID)
Funder
Swedish Research CouncilStandUpCarl Tryggers foundation
Available from: 2017-08-25 Created: 2017-08-25 Last updated: 2019-01-05Bibliographically approved
2. Ionothermal Synthesis of High-Voltage Alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-x(SO4)(3) Sodium Insertion Compound: Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Insights
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ionothermal Synthesis of High-Voltage Alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-x(SO4)(3) Sodium Insertion Compound: Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Insights
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2016 (English)In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, ISSN 1944-8244, E-ISSN 1944-8252, Vol. 8, no 11, p. 6982-6991Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Exploring future cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, alluaudite class of Na2Fe2II(SO4)(3) has been recently unveiled as a 3.8 V positive insertion candidate (Barpanda et al. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4358). It forms an Fe-based polyanionic compound delivering the highest Fe-redox potential along with excellent rate kinetics and reversibility. However, like all known SO4-based insertion materials, its synthesis is cumbersome that warrants careful processing avoiding any aqueous exposure. Here, an alternate low temperature ionothermal synthesis has been described to produce the alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3). It marks the first demonstration of solvothermal synthesis of alluaudite Na2+2xM2-xII(SO4)(3) (M = 3d metals) family of cathodes. Unlike classical solid-state route, this solvothermal route favors sustainable synthesis of homogeneous nanostructured alluaudite products at only 300 degrees C, the lowest temperature value until date. The current work reports the synthetic aspects of pristine and modified ionothermal synthesis of Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3) having tunable size (300 nm similar to 5 mu m) and morphology. It shows antiferromagnetic ordering below 12 K. A reversible capacity in excess of 80 mAh/g was obtained with good rate kinetics and cycling stability over 50 cycles. Using a synergistic approach combining experimental and ab initio DFT analysis, the structural, magnetic, electronic, and electrochemical properties and the structural limitation to extract full capacity have been described.

Keywords
sodium-ion battery, alluaudite, Na2Fe2(SO4)(3), ionothermal synthesis, DFT
National Category
Materials Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-294306 (URN)10.1021/acsami.5b11302 (DOI)000372946600024 ()26931644 (PubMedID)
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research CouncilStandUp
Available from: 2016-05-18 Created: 2016-05-18 Last updated: 2017-11-30Bibliographically approved
3. Na2.32Co1.84(SO4)(3) as a new member of the alluaudite family of high-voltage sodium battery cathodes
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Na2.32Co1.84(SO4)(3) as a new member of the alluaudite family of high-voltage sodium battery cathodes
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2017 (English)In: Dalton Transactions, ISSN 1477-9226, E-ISSN 1477-9234, Vol. 46, no 1, p. 55-63Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Electrochemical energy storage has recently seen tremendous emphasis being placed on the large-scale (power) grid storage. Sodium-ion batteries are capable of achieving this goal with economic viability. In a recent breakthrough in sodium-ion battery research, the alluaudite framework (Na2Fe2(SO4)(3)) has been reported, with the highest Fe3+/Fe2+ redox potential (ca. 3.8 V, Barpanda, et al., Nat. Commun., 2014, 5, 4358). Exploring this high-voltage sodium insertion system, we report the discovery of Na2+2xCo2-x(SO4)(3) (x = 0.16) as a new member of the alluaudite class of cathode. Stabilized by low-temperature solid-state synthesis (T <= 350 degrees C),this novel Co-based compound assumes a monoclinic structure with C2/c symmetry, which undergoes antiferromagnetic ordering below 10.2 K. Isotypical to the Fe-homologue, it forms a complete family of solid-solution Na2+2x(Fe1-yCoy)(2-x)(SO4)(3) [ y = 0-1]. Ab initio DFT analysis hints at potential high voltage operation at 4.76-5.76 V (vs. Na), depending on the degree of desodiation involving a strong participation of the oxygen sub-lattice. With the development of safe organic electrolytes, Na2+2xCo2-x(SO4)(3) can work as a cathode material (similar to 5 V) for sodium-ion batteries.

National Category
Condensed Matter Physics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-315835 (URN)10.1039/c6dt03767d (DOI)000391570700008 ()
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research CouncilStandUp
Available from: 2017-02-21 Created: 2017-02-21 Last updated: 2017-11-29Bibliographically approved
4. Na2.44Mn1.79(SO4)(3): a new member of the alluaudite family of insertion compounds for sodium ion batteries
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Na2.44Mn1.79(SO4)(3): a new member of the alluaudite family of insertion compounds for sodium ion batteries
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2015 (English)In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, ISSN 2050-7488, Vol. 3, no 36, p. 18564-18571Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Sodium-ion batteries have been extensively pursued as economic alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Investigating the polyanion chemistry, alluaudite structured Na2Fe2II(SO4)(3) has been recently discovered as a 3.8 V positive electrode material (Barpanda et al., Nature Commun., 5: 4358, 2014). Registering the highest ever Fe-III/Fe-II redox potential (vs. Na/Na+) and formidable energy density, it has opened up a new polyanion family for sodium batteries. Exploring the alluaudite family, here we report isotypical Na2+2xMn2-xII(SO4)(3) (x = 0.22) as a novel high-voltage cathode material for the first time. Following low-temperature (ca. 350 degrees C) solid-state synthesis, the structure of this new alluaudite compound has been solved adopting a monoclinic framework (s.g. C2/c) showing antiferromagnetic ordering at 3.4 K. Synergising experimental and ab initio DFT investigation, Na2+2xMn2-xII(SO4)(3) has been found to be a potential high-voltage (ca. 4.4 V) cathode material for sodium batteries.

National Category
Materials Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-263052 (URN)10.1039/c5ta04527d (DOI)000360490600029 ()
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research Council
Available from: 2015-09-25 Created: 2015-09-24 Last updated: 2017-12-01Bibliographically approved
5. Probing the pseudo-1-D ion diffusion in lithium titanium niobate anode for Li-ion battery
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Probing the pseudo-1-D ion diffusion in lithium titanium niobate anode for Li-ion battery
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2016 (English)In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 18, no 32, p. 22323-22330Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Comprehensive understanding of the charge transport mechanism in the intrinsic structure of an electrode material is essential in accounting for its electrochemical performance. We present here systematic experimental and theoretical investigations of Li+-ion diffusion in a novel layered material, viz. lithium titanium niobate. Lithium titanium niobate (exact composition Li0.55K0.45TiNbO5 center dot 1.06H(2)O) is obtained from sol-gel synthesized potassium titanium niobate (KTiNbO5) by an ion-exchange method. The Li+-ions are inserted and de-inserted preferentially into the galleries between the octahedral layers formed by edge and corner sharing TiO6 and NbO6 octahedral units and the effective chemical diffusion coefficient, is estimated to be 3.8 x 10(-11) cm(2) s(-1) using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT). Calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) strongly confirm the anisotropic Li+-ion diffusion in the interlayer galleries and that Li+-ions predominantly diffuse along the crystallographic b-direction. The preferential Li+-ion diffusion along the b-direction is assisted by line-defects, which are observed to be higher in concentration along the b-direction compared to the a-and c-directions, as revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. The Li-Ti niobate can be cycled to low voltages (approximate to 0.2 V) and show stable and satisfactory battery performance over 100 cycles. Due to the possibility of cycling to low voltages, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy convincingly reveal the reversibility of Ti3+ <-> Ti2+ along with Ti4+ <-> Ti3+ and Nb5+ <-> Nb4+.

National Category
Condensed Matter Physics Condensed Matter Physics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-307878 (URN)10.1039/c6cp04488c (DOI)000381436500035 ()27459636 (PubMedID)
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research CouncilStandUp
Available from: 2016-11-22 Created: 2016-11-22 Last updated: 2017-11-29Bibliographically approved
6. Unveiling the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of NaxFe(SO4)2 (x = 0–2): toward a high-capacity and low-cost cathode material
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Unveiling the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of NaxFe(SO4)2 (x = 0–2): toward a high-capacity and low-cost cathode material
2016 (English)In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, ISSN 2050-7488, Vol. 4, p. 17960-17969Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The mineral eldfellite, NaFe(SO4)2, was recently proposed as an inexpensive candidate for the next generation of cathode application in Na-based batteries. Employing the density functional theory framework, we have investigated the phase stability, electrochemical properties and ionic diffusion of this eldfellite cathode material. We showed that the crystal structure undergoes a volume shrinkage of ≈8% upon full removal of Na ions with no imaginary frequencies at the Γ point of phonon dispersion. This evokes the stability of the host structure. According to this result, we proposed structural changes to get higher specific energy by inserting two Na ions per redox-active metal. Our calculations indicate NaV(SO4)2 as the best candidate with the capability of reversibly inserting two Na ions per redox center and producing an excellent specific energy. The main bottleneck for the application of eldfellite as a cathode is the high activation energies for the Na+ ion hop, which can reach values even higher than 1 eV for the charged state. This effect produces a low ionic insertion rate.

National Category
Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Physics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-311345 (URN)10.1039/C6TA05330K (DOI)000388505400007 ()
Funder
Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Energy AgencyStandUp
Available from: 2016-12-23 Created: 2016-12-23 Last updated: 2018-12-19Bibliographically approved
7. Divulging the Hidden Capacity and Sodiation Kinetics of NaxC6Cl4O2: A High Voltage Organic Cathode for Sodium Rechargeable Batteries
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Divulging the Hidden Capacity and Sodiation Kinetics of NaxC6Cl4O2: A High Voltage Organic Cathode for Sodium Rechargeable Batteries
2017 (English)In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, ISSN 1932-7447, E-ISSN 1932-7455, Vol. 121, no 26, p. 14027-14036Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In the current emerging sustainable organic battery field, quinones are seen as one of the prime candidates for application in rechargeable battery electrodes. Recently, C6Cl4O2, a modified quinone, has been proposed as a high voltage organic cathode. However, the sodium insertion mechanism behind the cell reaction remained unclear due to the nescience of the right crystal structure. Here, the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) together with an evolutionary algorithm was employed to elucidate the crystal structures of the compounds NaxC6Cl4O2 (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2). Along with the usefulness of PBE functional to reflect the experimental potential, also the importance of the hybrid functional to divulge the hidden theoretical capacity is evaluated. We showed that the experimentally observed lower specific capacity is a result of the great stabilization of the intermediate phase Na1.5C6Cl4O2. The calculated activation barriers for the ionic hops are 0.68, 0.40, and 0.31 eV, respectively, for NaC6Cl4O2, Na1.5C6Cl4O2, and Na2C6Cl4O2. These results indicate that the kinetic process must not be a limiting factor upon Na insertion. Finally, the correct prediction of the specific capacity has confirmed that the theoretical strategy used, employing evolutionary simulations together with the hybrid functional framework, can rightly model the thermodynamic process in organic electrode compounds.

National Category
Materials Engineering Physical Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-329995 (URN)10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b03621 (DOI)000405252800007 ()
Funder
Swedish Energy AgencySwedish Research CouncilStandUp
Note

Divulging the Hidden Capacity and Sodiation Kinetics of NaxC6Cl4O2: A High Voltage Organic Cathode for Sodium Rechargeable Batteries

Available from: 2017-10-13 Created: 2017-10-13 Last updated: 2018-12-19Bibliographically approved
8. Lithium transport investigation in LixFeSiO4: A promising cathode material
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Lithium transport investigation in LixFeSiO4: A promising cathode material
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2013 (English)In: Solid State Communications, ISSN 0038-1098, E-ISSN 1879-2766, Vol. 173, p. 9-13Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In this paper we investigate lithium mobility in both Li2FeSiO4 and its   half-lithiated state LiFeSiO4 considering an orthorhombic crystal   structure. We find that the calculated activation energy of Li+ ions   hopping between adjacent equilibrium sites predicts two least hindered   diffusion pathways in both materials. One of them is along the [100]   direction characterizing an ionic diffusion in a straight line and the   other follows a zig-zag way between the Fe-Si-O layers. We also show   that diffusion of Li+ ions in the half-lithiated structure follows the   same behavior as in the lithiated structure. As a whole, the activation   energies for the investigated compounds present a greater value compared   with the activation energies in currently used materials such as   LiFePO4. The results were calculated in the framework of density   functional theory in conjunction with the climbing image nudged elastic   band method. The Hubbard term was added to the Kohn-Sham Hamiltonian to   overcome the delocalization problem of d electrons. Furthermore, the   diffusion coefficients were calculated for both structures considering   temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All   rights reserved.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2013
National Category
Condensed Matter Physics
Research subject
Materials Science
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-220056 (URN)10.1016/j.ssc.2013.08.025 (DOI)000330919200003 ()
Available from: 2014-03-10 Created: 2014-03-10 Last updated: 2017-12-05Bibliographically approved
9. Predicting electrochemical properties and ionic diffusion in Na2+2xMn2-x(SO4)(3): crafting a promising high voltage cathode material
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Predicting electrochemical properties and ionic diffusion in Na2+2xMn2-x(SO4)(3): crafting a promising high voltage cathode material
2016 (English)In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, ISSN 2050-7488, Vol. 4, no 2, p. 451-457Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Sodium ion batteries have emerged as a good alternative to lithium based systems due to their low cost of production. In this scenario, the search for higher voltage, sodium cathodes results in a new promising alluaudite structure Na2+2xMn2-x(SO4)(3). The structural, electronic and Na diffusion properties along with defects have been reported in this investigation within the framework of density functional theory. A band gap of 3.61 eV has been computed and the average deintercalation potential is determined to be 4.11 V vs. Na/Na+. A low concentration of anti-site defects is predicted due to their high formation energy. The biggest issue for the ionic diffusion in the Na2+2xMn2-x(SO4)(3) crystal structure is revealed to be the effect of Mn vacancies increasing the activation energy of Na+ ions that hop along the [001] equilibrium positions. This effect leads to activation energies of almost the same high values for the ionic hop through the [010] direction characterizing a 2D like ionic diffusion mechanism in this system.

National Category
Materials Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-274913 (URN)10.1039/c5ta08114a (DOI)000367272800014 ()
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Energy AgencyStandUp
Available from: 2016-01-27 Created: 2016-01-26 Last updated: 2017-11-30Bibliographically approved
10. Na2M2(SO4)(3) (M = Fe, Mn, Co and Ni): towards high-voltage sodium battery applications
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Na2M2(SO4)(3) (M = Fe, Mn, Co and Ni): towards high-voltage sodium battery applications
2016 (English)In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 18, no 14, p. 9658-9665Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Sodium-ion-based batteries have evolved as excellent alternatives to their lithium-ion-based counterparts due to the abundance, uniform geographical distribution and low price of Na resources. In the pursuit of sodium chemistry, recently the alluaudite framework Na2M2(SO4)(3) has been unveiled as a high-voltage sodium insertion system. In this context, the framework of density functional theory has been applied to systematically investigate the crystal structure evolution, density of states and charge transfer with sodium ions insertion, and the corresponding average redox potential, for Na2M2(SO4)(3) (M = Fe, Mn, Co and Ni). It is shown that full removal of sodium atoms from the Fe-based device is not a favorable process due to the 8% volume shrinkage. The imaginary frequencies obtained in the phonon dispersion also reflect this instability and the possible phase transition. This high volume change has not been observed in the cases of the Co- and Ni-based compounds. This is because the redox reaction assumes a different mechanism for each of the compounds investigated. For the polyanion with Fe, the removal of sodium ions induces a charge reorganization at the Fe centers. For the Mn case, the redox process induces a charge reorganization of the Mn centers with a small participation of the oxygen atoms. The Co and Ni compounds present a distinct trend with the redox reaction occurring with a strong participation of the oxygen sublattice, resulting in a very small volume change upon desodiation. Moreover, the average deintercalation potential for each of the compounds has been computed. The implications of our findings have been discussed both from the scientific perspective and in terms of technological aspects.

National Category
Physical Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-294664 (URN)10.1039/c6cp00070c (DOI)000373570200042 ()26996444 (PubMedID)
Funder
Carl Tryggers foundation Swedish Research CouncilStandUp
Available from: 2016-06-01 Created: 2016-05-26 Last updated: 2017-11-30Bibliographically approved
11. Unveiling the charge migration mechanism in Na2O2: implications for sodium-air batteries
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Unveiling the charge migration mechanism in Na2O2: implications for sodium-air batteries
2015 (English)In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 17, no 12, p. 8203-8209Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Metal-air batteries have become promising candidates for modern energy storage due to their high theoretical energy density in comparison to other storage devices. The lower overpotential of Na compared with Li makes Na-air batteries more efficient in terms of battery lifetime. Additionally, the abundance of Na over Li is another advantage for Na batteries compared to Li batteries. Na2O2 is one of the main products of sodium-air battery reactions. The efficiency of air cells is always related to the charge transport mechanisms in the formed product. To unveil these diffusion mechanisms in one of the main products of the cell reaction Na-O-2 we systematically investigate the mobility of charge carriers as well as the electronic structural properties of sodium peroxide. The framework of the density functional theory based on hybrid functional approach is used to study the mobility of charge carriers and intrinsic defects in Na2O2. Our calculations reveal that the formation of small electron and hole polarons is preferentially occurring over the delocalized state in the crystal structure of Na2O2. The migration of these small polarons displays activation energies of about 0.92 eV and 0.32 eV for the electron and hole polarons respectively, while the analysis of the charged sodium vacancy mobility reveals an activation energy of about 0.5 eV. These results suggest that the charge transport in sodium peroxide would mainly occur through the diffusion of hole polarons.

National Category
Physical Chemistry Physical Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-252055 (URN)10.1039/c4cp05042h (DOI)000351437500069 ()25732774 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2015-04-29 Created: 2015-04-28 Last updated: 2017-12-04Bibliographically approved
12. Designing strategies to tune reduction potential of organic molecules for sustainable high capacity batteries application
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Designing strategies to tune reduction potential of organic molecules for sustainable high capacity batteries application
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2017 (English)In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, ISSN 2050-7488, Vol. 5, no 9, p. 4430-4454Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Organic compounds evolve as a promising alternative to the currently used inorganic materials in rechargeable batteries due to their low-cost, environmentally friendliness and flexibility. One of the strategies to reach acceptable energy densities and to deal with the high solubility of known organic compounds is to combine small redox active molecules, acting as capacity carrying centres, with conducting polymers. Following this strategy, it is important to achieve redox matching between the chosen molecule and the polymer backbone. Here, a synergetic approach combining theory and experiment has been employed to investigate this strategy. The framework of density functional theory connected with the reaction field method has been applied to predict the formal potential of 137 molecules and identify promising candidates for the referent application. The effects of including different ring types, e.g. fused rings or bonded rings, heteroatoms, [small pi] bonds, as well as carboxyl groups on the formal potential, has been rationalized. Finally, we have identified a number of molecules with acceptable theoretical capacities that show redox matching with thiophene-based conducting polymers which, hence, are suggested as pendent groups for the development of conducting redox polymer based electrode materials.

National Category
Nano Technology
Research subject
Engineering Science with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-314502 (URN)10.1039/C6TA09760J (DOI)000395926100022 ()
Funder
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research Swedish Energy AgencyStandUpSwedish Research Council
Available from: 2017-02-02 Created: 2017-02-02 Last updated: 2020-10-22Bibliographically approved
13. Assessing Electrochemical Properties of Polypyridine and Polythiophene for Prospective Application in Sustainable Organic Batteries
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Assessing Electrochemical Properties of Polypyridine and Polythiophene for Prospective Application in Sustainable Organic Batteries
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2017 (English)In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 19, no 4, p. 3307-3314Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Conducting polymers are being considered promising candidates for sustainable organic batteries mainly due to their fast electron transport properties and high recyclability. In this work, key properties of polythiophene and polypyridine have been assessed through a combined theoretical and experimental study focusing on such applications. A theoretical protocol has been developed to calculate redox potentials in solution within the framework of the density functional theory and using continuous solvation models. Here, the evolution of the electrochemical properties of solvated oligomers as a function of the length of the chain is analyzed and then the polymer properties are estimated via linear regressions using ordinary least square. The predicted values were verified against our electrochemical experiments. This protocol can now be employed to screen a large database of compounds in order to identify organic electrodes with superior properties.

National Category
Nano Technology
Research subject
Engineering Science with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-311276 (URN)10.1039/C6CP07435A (DOI)000394940400071 ()28091636 (PubMedID)
Funder
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research Swedish Energy AgencyStandUpSwedish Research Council
Available from: 2016-12-22 Created: 2016-12-22 Last updated: 2022-01-29Bibliographically approved
14. Evaluating bulk Nb2O2F3 for Li-battery electrode applications
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Evaluating bulk Nb2O2F3 for Li-battery electrode applications
2016 (English)In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP, ISSN 1463-9076, E-ISSN 1463-9084, Vol. 18, no 5, p. 3530-3535Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This investigation has the primary objective of elucidating the lithium intercalation process in the crystal structure of a new niobium oxyfluoride compound Nb2O2F3. The framework of the density functional theory was applied in a generalized gradient approximation together with the hybrid functional method. It is revealed that lithium atoms intercalate in this material in a maximum concentration of one Li atom per formula unit forming LiNb2O2F3. Moreover, octahedral positions in between the layers of Nb-O-F appear as the Li preferred occupancy resulting in a structural volume expansion of only 5%. Electronic structure evolution with the insertion of lithium displays a transformation from semi-conductor to metal when half of the lithium atoms are added. This transformation occurs due to a symmetry break induced by the transition from the + 8 to + 7 oxidation state of half of the Nb2 dimers. Then, after full lithiation the symmetry is recovered and the material becomes a semiconductor again with a band gap amounting to 1 eV. The evaluated average deintercalation potential reaches 1.29 V vs. Li/Li+ with activation energy for lithium ion migration of 0.79 eV. The computed low potential of the redox reaction Nb-2(8+) to Nb-2(7+) includes niobium oxyfluoride in the map of possible materials for the anode application of Li-ion batteries.

National Category
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics Physical Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-279565 (URN)10.1039/c5cp06829k (DOI)000369508100020 ()26751421 (PubMedID)
Funder
Swedish Research CouncilStandUp
Available from: 2016-03-02 Created: 2016-03-02 Last updated: 2017-11-30Bibliographically approved
15. The Curious Case of Two Dimensional Si2BN: A High-capacity Battery Anode Material
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The Curious Case of Two Dimensional Si2BN: A High-capacity Battery Anode Material
2017 (English)In: Nano Energy, ISSN 2211-2855, E-ISSN 2211-3282, Vol. 41, p. 251-260Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The ubiquity of silicon in the semiconductor industry and its unique charge transport features has consistently fueled interest in this element and recent realization 2D silicene is a new feather in its cap. In what could be considered as opening up the Pandora's box with many possible virtues, buckled silicene, planar graphene and a host of other newly discovered 2D materials have redefined a whole new paradigm of research. To this end, the quest for new 2D materials and finding potential applications, particularly to the realm of energy storage, is a curiosity driven task. From first principle density functional theory studies, a newly reported graphene like 2D material Si2BN is investigated as a probable anode material for Li and Na ion batteries. In contrast to pristine silicene, which is inherently buckled, the material Si2BN is planar. However, an interesting transition from planar to buckled structure takes place upon subsequent adsorption of Li and Na ions. Concomitantly, this transition is associated with superior specific capacity (1158.5 and 993.0 mA h/g respectively for Li and Na) which is significantly higher than several other 2D analogues. Furthermore, the substrate Si2BN regains the planar structure on subsequent desorption of ions and stability of the material remains intact, as evidenced from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. As we delve deep into the electronic structure and compute the diffusion pathways and barriers, it is observed that the ionic diffusion is very fast with significantly lesser barrier heights, particularly for Na-ion. These findings suggest that for the 2D Si2BN, there is no diminution in order to be a potential anode material for Li and Na ion batteries.

National Category
Nano Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-330765 (URN)10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.09.026 (DOI)000415302600027 ()
Funder
StandUpSwedish Research CouncilCarl Tryggers foundation Swedish National Infrastructure for Computing (SNIC), SNIC-2017-11-28 SNIC-2017-1-237
Available from: 2017-10-03 Created: 2017-10-03 Last updated: 2019-01-05Bibliographically approved
16. First-principles investigation of Li ion diffusion in Li2FeSiO4
Open this publication in new window or tab >>First-principles investigation of Li ion diffusion in Li2FeSiO4
Show others...
2013 (English)In: Solid State Ionics, ISSN 0167-2738, E-ISSN 1872-7689, Vol. 247, p. 8-14Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

We have studied the Li-ion migration and the electrochemical performance of Li2FeSiO4 in the monoclinic crystal structure with P2(1) symmetry and the related delithiated system LiFeSiO4. For this purpose, the framework of the density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation in conjunction with the climbing image nudged elastic band method was used. Addition of the Hubbard term was also considered in the Kohn-Sham Hamiltonian to better model the d electrons of the metal ions in this material. The calculated activation energies for Li ion migration are found to decrease by around 20% with the Hubbard term inclusion in the chosen diffusion pathways of Li2FeSiO4. Regarding the delithiated structure, the activation energies were found to be sensitive to the Hubbard term addition, however no general behavior such as in the lithiated structure was found. Furthermore, the diffusion coefficients were calculated considering temperatures of 300 K, 500 K, and 700 K.

Keywords
Lithium diffusion, Batteries, DFT
National Category
Physical Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-209159 (URN)10.1016/j.ssi.2013.05.020 (DOI)000324353700002 ()
Available from: 2013-10-15 Created: 2013-10-15 Last updated: 2017-12-06Bibliographically approved

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Araújo, Rafael Barros Neves de

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