Self-assembly of 3-D Nanostructured Electrodes for Ultrafast Charge and Discharge Li-ion and NiMH Batteries

摘要

Over the past decade, the sophistication of self and directedassembly approaches for functional nanocomposite structures has increased dramatically, however, application of such structures in realworld optically and electronically active systems has remained largely elusive, in part because such structures almost always contain finite defect densities which limit performance. Electrochemical energy storage presents a unique opportunity for self-assembled materials in that the structures can be designed to be highly defect tolerant and highly functional at the same time. Specifically, we are investigating the use of self-assembly to crate NiMH and Li-ion battery electrodes which contain 3D connected electron and ion transport networks which are separated by the charge storage material. We observe ultrafast charge and discharge kinetics which indicate the possibility of batteries which can be charged and discharged in less than 60 seconds.