Case Study: Harnesing The Power Of Plastics In Li-Ion Batteries

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Lecture Series Assignment
Dr. Jodie L. Lutkenhaus from the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M gave a talk titled "Harnessing the Power of Plastics in Li-Ion Batteries". In this talk, she discussed the developments that are being made to create new forms of batteries. She covered how a battery works, specifically how a Li-ion battery works, using polymers to create batteries, and other interesting forms of batteries including "graffiti" batteries and batteries on fabrics.
She explained that batteries work because they contain three basic parts. An anode, or a negative region, a cathode, a positive region, and an electrolyte which separates the two. Because the anode is negatively charged, it has a buildup of electrons …show more content…

The active material in the cathode would be either LiCoO2 , LiFePo4, or V2O5. Along with this, it of course contains a polymer and a binder which functions to insulate and hold everything together. It also contains some form of carbon to act as a conductive additive. Additionally polyethylene oxide is included to conduct lithium ions. Then a different polymer which "hates" the original polymer is added, and the two repel each other. Then a block copolymer, like V2O5, is added to force the two to interact. This therefore increase the energy and charge inside of the battery. The more polymer that is added, the more flexible the battery will be and therefore the more mechanical properties it will have.
Another topic she discussed was the development of "graffiti" batteries. This is essentially spray-paint that, when applied to the wall, can function as a battery. This is because the paint is made up of electrodes. Their functioning capacity depends on the discharge current, which is the rate in which the battery is discharged in relation to its maximum capacity. She explained that they have good stability and their charge storage arises from both polyaniline and reduced graphene

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