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Analyzing Electrochemical Effects of Ni Substitutions on Iron Silicate Compounds

CSEF · 2018 Chemistry Honorable_mention Award

Allyson M. Ee, Albert H. Tan · Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates, Los Angeles County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this study is to determine the effect of substituting Ni in iron silicate compounds used in cathodes on the battery performance. Methods/Materials A Li ion cathode compound was synthesized using weighed masses of lithium carbonate, silicon oxide, nickel(II) chloride, and iron(III) chloride. A Li ion battery was assembled inside an Argon glove box. The Li ion battery was cycled for two weeks and the current and voltage of the battery were recorded. Results The Li ion battery after Ni substitutions had a capacity of approximately 125 milliamp hours per gram and was shown to reversibly cycle against Li with voltage plateaus at roughly 3.8 V. This work presents the enhancements that come from substituting Ni into pristine iron silicate cathodes, which have capacities of around 75 milliamp hours per gram and voltage plateaus of 2 V. This shows that the Ni substitutions improved the battery performance. Conclusions/Discussion The gained battery efficiency from the nickel substitution demonstrates the feasibility of a promising new group of earth-abundant cathode materials implementing nickel, significantly contributing to the sustainability of depleting natural resources.

Summary statement

This project studies whether introducing nickel to an iron silicate compound used as a cathode in Li-ion batteries would improve battery performance.

Help received

The authors acknowledge the guidance of Nicholas Bashian and Brent C. Melot, as well as the support of Melot Research Group members. This work was done with financial support provided by the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California.

Awards (1)

  • Honorable Mention

Competition history

  • CSEF 2018 Chemistry · Entry S0609

Resources

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