Structural effects of conductive additives on the molecular shuttles in lithium–organic batteries

• Published in: Carbon Letters 2024, 34(1), , pp.537-544
• Main Authors: Lee, Heesang, Ryu, Munhwa, Hwang, Seung-Kyu, Kim, Young-Cheon, Moon, Joonhee, Nam, Seunghoon, Kim, Chunjoong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Batteries; Carbon; Carbon black; Carbon cycle; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Energy storage; Functional groups; Liquid phases; Lithium; Nonaqueous electrolytes; Organic chemistry; Organic materials; Oxidation; Particle size; Physical properties; Spectrum analysis; 자연과학일반
• ISSN: 1976-4251; 2233-4998
• DOI: 10.1007/s42823-023-00687-w

In recent years, the energy storage sector has experienced a notable transition toward the use of organic electrodes. This shift is largely attributed to their superior energy density, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. However, there is a main drawback that the organic molecules oftentimes suffer shuttle phenomenon across the separator due to their high solubility in the organic electrolyte. In addition, the low electrical conductivity of organic materials is also detrimental, thereby requiring a large amount of carbon additives (up to 40 wt. %) in the electrode. In this perspective, addition of carbon additives with the desirable amount, which can prevent organic molecules from being dissolved into the liquid phase as well as provide the electrical conductivity. While N,Nʹ-dimethylphenazine (DMPZ) was investigated as a model material, we compared two carbon additives with different surface areas and functional groups. We carefully scrutinized the structural effect of carbon additives on the cycle-life performance of the organic electrode.