2010 - 19th Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium

Session Time : 4/22/10 12:15 PM - 4/22/10 1:30 PM

Content Area : Textile Engineering, Chemistry & Science

Student Presenters :
Mariah Dolores Woodroof Textile Engineering & Chemical Engineering

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Xiangwu Zhang Textiles
Zhan Lin Textile Engineering

Abstract Title : Electrodeposition of MnOx onto carbon nano-fibers to form a composite for anode material in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract :
The increasing demand for higher capacity batteries in electronics devices has promoted an intensive research effort to develop new materials suitable for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. In order to improve the charge and discharge capacities of lithium-ion batteries, this research project incorporates carbon nanofibers (CNFs), which are electrospun from polyacrylonitrile and subsequently heat-treated, into lithium-ion batteries as both the structural support and active material for the anode. CNFs are used due to their ability to handle volume changes from the manganese oxide during lithium insertion without compromising the integrity of the anode. High-capacity manganese oxides (MnOx) were deposited onto the surface of the CNFs using electrochemical deposition. The composites were constructed as the anode in lithium-ion battery half cells, and their electrochemical properties were tested. The results showed that the MnOx/CNF composites provide the anode with significantly higher charge and discharge capacities and have a stronger structural integrity than the commercial graphite materials. It was also seen that performance of the composite varies based on the electrodeposition time.