Optimized design of porous electrodes for Li-air batteries by controllable functionalized CNT

• Grant number: 18/16663-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Agreement: BG E&P Brasil (Shell Group)
• Principal Investigator: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Grantee: Jean Felipe Leal Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ)
• Associated research grant: 17/11958-1 - CINE - Advanced Energy Storage Division, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Electricity will move from 18 to 50% of the worldwide matrix and renewable sources of energy are expected to quadruplicate by 2050, but CO2 emissions are also expected to be half of today's value. In this scenario it is imperative to build novel solutions for energy storage still unavailable today that can cope with the predicted demands. Among the existent technologies in batteries, the lithium-air system receives great attention as it has the highest theoretical energy density, promising a five times increase in storing capacity when compared with current state of the art lithium-ion. Despite of the great potential many are the challenges, both scientific and technological for its use in a practical device capable of exploiting that potential. In this project we aim to assemble and evaluate functional oxygen electrodes created by the controlled growth of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and functionalized CNTs over stainless steel templates and Ni foam/compressed Ni foam. The final electrode design will be defined after mapping the performance of a series of CNT lengths and surface functionalizations trough in-situ measurements for the device. The material will be used in Li-O2 batteries where their energy density, charge/discharge efficiencies and cyclability will be assessed. The new oxygen electrodes are expected to increase the efficiency of both charge and discharge reactions as well the battery cyclability due to their organized nanostructure.