| NSF Org: |
CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 30, 2019 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 30, 2019 |
| Award Number: | 1912876 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Carole Read
cread@nsf.gov (703)292-2418 CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering |
| Start Date: | September 15, 2019 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2023 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $124,804.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $124,804.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1400 J R LYNCH ST JACKSON MS US 39217-0002 (601)979-2008 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
MS US 39217-0002 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | EchemS-Electrochemical Systems |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): | |
| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.041 |
ABSTRACT
There is a critical need for improved energy storage technologies for electric vehicles and large-scale integration of renewable electricity grid storage to improve domestic energy security. Currently, state-of-the-art energy storage technologies such as lithium ion batteries are insufficient in providing the performance requirements needed such as cost and energy density to enable broad use. Alternative battery chemistries could provide an avenue towards gains in energy density, durability, and cost for these applications. This fundamental research project addresses the use of sodium ion batteries as a potential low-cost and sustainable solution to large-scale electrochemical energy storage systems. However, the inferior cycle life of cathode electrode materials for this type of battery is a significant roadblock towards commercialization. This project addresses the issue with a collaborative experimental program that focuses on cathode electrode material synthesis methods and experimental characterization tools that can measure the processes occurring at the interface region of the cathode electrode and the battery electrolyte. Fundamental knowledge will result on these processes and will enable rational design strategies to increase the durability, energy density, and cycle life of this battery type. For broader impacts, the project?s partners will establish an energy storage research program at Jackson State University. An outreach program at each project institution will be enriched with educational modules and hands on activities for elementary school-age students with a learning disability in dyslexia via summer camps and learning centers and with enhanced parent participation.
This project seeks to elucidate the interfacial degradation mechanisms of sodium cathode materials and to establish experimental approaches for tailoring and strengthening the cathode?electrolyte interface for sodium-ion batteries. The project will make use of advanced synchrotron X-ray and electron characterization tools to probe the battery chemistry in the temporally and spatially resolved environments. The project will improve the electrochemical kinetics of active particles and surface stability of cathode materials and thus their performance in sodium ion batteries. There is a need for a holistic study to understand the formation and evolution of the interfacial degradation as well as to quantitatively pinpoint its relationship with the surface oxygen reactivity and bulk redox chemistry. The doping approach will simultaneously mitigate the interfacial degradation and accelerate the bulk electrochemical kinetics. The research will accomplish the following objectives: (1) probing the multiscale interfacial chemical and structural transformations and investigating the relationship between sodium cathode surface chemistry, interfacial degradation, and electrochemical kinetics, (2) conducting spectroscopic and imaging measurements to spatially quantify the influence of the interfacial degradation on the bulk redox behavior of sodium cathode particles as a function of the state-of-charge, cycling history, and charging protocol, and (3) establishing approaches to tailor the cathode surface chemistry for mitigating the interfacial degradation and improving the sodium ion battery performance (e.g. energy density, cycle life, rate capability).
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Intellectual Merits: This project developed a method to synthesize metal oxide nanoparticles and the chemical reaction mechanism was studied. The metal oxide nanoparticles are synthesized by thermal deposition of metal acetylacetonates or metal acetates in the presence of organic ligands. The experimental parameters such as temperatures, precursor concentrations, and ligand ratios were adjusted to control the reactions to obtain metal oxide nanoparticles including ZnFe2O4, MnFe2O4, NiFe2O4, MnO, NiO, CoO with different sizes, structures, and morphologies. The relationships between the experimental parameters and the nanoparticle growth were demonstrated. Small-sized nanoparticles (less than 10 nm) nanoparticles were obtained by the low ligand ratios of oleylamine : oleic acid. Large-sized particles (several micrometers) can be prepared by the high ligand ratios of the oleylamine : oleic acid. Therefore, oleic acid is believed to have a function of limiting nanoparticle growth compared to oleylamine. The reaction temperature and precursor concentrations also affected the nanoparticle growth. High temperatures and high concentrations contribute to large particles. The results provide a platform for metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis and the application of sodium ion batteries.
Broader Impact: This project helped the PI initiate the first battery lab at Jackson State University (JSU). This project also enhanced minority student education at JSU by providing related hands-on experimental skills in addition to enhancing the nanomaterial research at JSU. The students learned cutting-edge experimental research, which benefited the further study of the students in graduate schools. The hands-on experimental skills including nanomaterial synthesis, nanoparticle purification, and nanoparticle characterization, enhance student competitiveness, which helps students in the job market after they graduate from JSU. This project supported three minority undergraduate students. One student went to top graduate school and one student got a job in the industry. The research results were exhibited to high school students from the Jackson area through the existing department program. The principal investigator trained 3-4 high school students each summer through this project. The high school students learned knowledge of nanomaterials and some hands-on skills.
Last Modified: 09/04/2023
Modified by: Qilin Dai
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