Description:

"On the Development of New Design Principles for Intercalation Electrodes"

Abstract

The most important problem the world faces is how to establish a sustainable energy infrastructure. A critical part of this challenge is how to store large amounts of energy safely while also economically. While a large body of work has been dedicated to identifying of new polyanionic intercalation hosts to help Li-ion batteries meet this need, a fundamental understanding of the mechanism for ionic transport through these complex materials is still lacking. This talk will explore how the rigid structural framework of polyanionic materials influences the ability for these materials to cycle. We will also discuss how the electronegativity of these groups can be used to modulate the open circuit voltage of transition metals in tandem with the local environment of the redox centers. A general strategy for the design of new insertion electrodes will also be presented with a focus on our group’s efforts to develop new electrode materials using Earth-abundant and non-toxic elements like Fe and SiO2.

Web: www-bcf.usc.edu/~melot/