In this talk, we examine ways that solution processed nanostructured materials can be used to address issues of relevance to energy storage, focusing on electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalysis.  Materials with appropriate porous architectures can be synthesized using either block-copolymer templating methods or using selective dealloying of mixed metal precursors.  The resulting nanoporous materials can form the basis for high power electrochemical energy storage materials known as pseudocapacitors.  In such materials, the nanoscale porosity can produce a very desirable combination of electrical connectivity, electrolyte access to the interior of the material, ample surface redox sites, and very short solid-state diffusion lengths for lithium ions.  With idealized architectures, we have shown that a unique combination of high energy density and high power density can be achieved in both cathodes and anodes, in some case combined with reactivity toward ions other than Li<sup>+</sup>. Fundamental to this work is defining exactly what pseudocapacitance is and how it differs from traditional battery intercalation.  In other work, dealloyed porous materials are used to increase stability and cycle life in high energy density materials like tin.  Direct X-ray imaging provides insight into the role of porosity in these alloy type anodes.  Related systems also show promise for chemical energy storage in the form of electrocatalytic water splitting.

Nanostructured and nanoporous materials for energy application

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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