Development of high capacity electrode materials for lithium battery

1. High capacity Sn-based anode

Sn and Sn alloy has been expected as an anode for next generation of lithium ion battery due to high discharge capacity. However, large volume change of the Sn anode during charge and discharge processes gives poor cyclabiliy.
We have tried to improve the cyclability by highly patterned Sn-Ni anode with 3 dimensionally ordered microporous structure (3DOM).

Fig. 1 Highly patterned 3DOM Sn-Ni anode

2. Fabrication of novel cathode materials by hydrothermal process

The hydrothermal process is one of the synthesis methods which proceeds in water under high temperature and pressure. This method makes possible to synthesize unusual materials because insoluble components can dissolve into water under the high temperature and pressure. We have succeeded on synthesis of carbon-coated LiFePO4. A synthesis of other olivine-type cathode materials such as LiMnPO4 and LiCoPO4 is also being attempted at moment.

Fig. 2 Carbon-coated LiFePO4