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Project title

Advanced 3D Network Graphene Supported Ternary Metal Phosphides Anodes for Flexible Sodium- Ion Batteries

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

Previously used as backups to lithium ion batteries (LIBs), the demand for supercapacitors (SCs) has been on the rise in the past few years. Presently, high energy density SCs are urgently needed for niche applications in consumer electronics, hybrid electric vehicles and high-power appliances. Although SCs possess high power density, its energy density is unsatisfactory to supplement and replace the LIB in various applications. Exploring new materials with excellent performances at high mass loadings is urgently needed to realize high energy density of supercapacitor devices. The main results are shown below: 1. Activated carbon clothes (ACC) endowed with large surface area (615 m2 g-1) and rich microporosity were produced using a mild-temperature activation method. The enhanced electrode properties are attributed to the introduction of carbonyl functional groups. The ACC can reach 1700 mF cm-2 while a 2 V ACC device achieved energy density of 18.2 Wh kg-1. 2. The electrochemical performance of zinc-ion hybrid capacitors is revealed to be hindered at high rates in ZnSO4 electrolytes. The introduction of Na2SO4 additive successfully doubled the capacitance, rate capability, energy/power density at high rates. In situ/ex situ techniques were used to confirm the hydrogen contribution during storage. 3. FeOOH nanoparticles were synthesized and explored as ideal anodes for supercapacitors. The ~30 nm FeOOH nanoparticles on CC possesses a large BET surface area, excellent conductivity and a low-crystalline feature bestowing the electrode with abundant active sites and short electrolyte diffusion paths. The anode achieved 1066 and 716 F g-1, excellent rate and stable cycling attributed to a capacitive dominant mechanism. 4. A freestanding NiCo-LDH nanosheets on carbon clothes with excellent rate capability was designed to reveal the synergistic effect between the NiCo-LDH material and activated carbon cloth substrate. Keywords: FeOOH, ACC, Zn-ion storage, High mass loading, NiCo-LDH, aqueous supercapacitor

Grant Approved

�96,417

Research Hub

Climate related research

Research Theme

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Start Date

01/12/2021

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/11/2023