Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

George Nelson

Committee Member

Guangsheng Zhang

Committee Member

Yu Lei

Research Advisor

George Nelson

Subject(s)

Sodium ion batteries, Anodes--Materials, Tin

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a focus of novel energy research as they present a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundance of sodium and anode materials. Tin is a promising option for anodes in SIBs because of its ability to be used independently or with other metal alloys. The advantage of using styrene butadiene rubber in tin anodes is a source of intrigue for potentially improving the shelf life of anodes and reducing the electrical fatigue on the battery. The study of glyme electrolytes compared to widely used carbonate electrolytes can potentially improve cycling life and the overall performance of the battery. Copper current collectors are the default when it comes to battery anodes but with the low reactivity of sodium with aluminum and its thermal stability, the comparison shows the difference in the charging-discharging capacities which potentially reduces cost. The test cells are subjected to ex-situ material characterization (X-Ray Diffractometry) to study the anode material and electrochemical tests (Galvanostatic Cycling for Potential Limitation, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry) to understand internal electrochemical processes of the batteries. The specific charging-discharging capacities of the cells showed a benefit to aluminum current collectors over copper. An advantage to glyme electrolytes was observed over the 10-cycle period, with significantly lower cell degradation in long-term cycling tests. Impedance responses for short-term cycling showed cell degradation over stepped potentials and fluctuating responses which are accounted to the formation of SEI layer during the initial cycling phase of SIBs. CV results exhibit the evolution of electrochemical activity which are supported by GCPL results.

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