Year

2010

Degree Name

Master of Engineering - Research

Department

Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials - Faculty of Engineering

Abstract

Rechargeable lithium – ion batteries are the most advanced battery technology for portable electronics. There are big potential for lithium – ion batteries to be used for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and stationary power storage. In particular, it will bring a significant contribution to improve the living environment with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is reported that electrode materials research plays a key role in the development of next generation of advanced lithium – ion batteries with high energy density, high power density, and long cycle life. In this thesis, the exploration on developing different anode materials and cathode materials for lithium – ion batteries are described. The transition metal oxides, vanadium penoxide (V2O5) nanowires and nanostructured hematite (a – Fe2O3) hollow spheres were intensively investigated as cathode and anode electrode materials, respectively. Several techniques, X – ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer – Emmett – Teller technique were applied to characterize the as – synthesized materials, while the electrochemical properties were examined by the discharge – charge testing. The maximum specific capacity was 357 mA h g-1, and 1258 mA h g-1 for V2O5 nanowires and nanostructured a – Fe2O3 hollow spheres, respectively. The morphology and large specific surface area of the nanomaterials are thought to contribute to the excellent electrochemical performance.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.