Multilayered Nanoparticles Generated by Plasma Methods for Energy Storage Applications

摘要

Using the Aerosol Through Plasma (A-T-P) method in conjunction with simple chemical techniques a variety of complex and novel nanoparticle architectures were created. A-T-P was used to make metal core/carbon shell nanoparticles (ca. 50 nm diameter) of Sn/Carbon, which have potential for application as high energy density battery anodes for hybrid and electric vehicles. The initial Sn/carbon particles formed in the plasma were found to reach high capacity values, however presented poor cycle life possibly due to Sn volume expansion during lithiation and consequent shell breakage. Nonetheless, A-T-P Sn-core/carbon-shell material treated in acidic solution to partially remove tin, hence create void space, Sn/void space/carbon, showed higher discharge capacity and greatly improved cycling performance.