The electrochemical performance of LixSiON (x = 2, 4, and 6) polymer electrolytes derived from the agricultural waste, rice hull ash (RHA, 80−90 wt % SiO2), is reported. Silica can be extracted from RHA by base-catalyzed reaction with hexylene glycol forming the spirosiloxane [(C6H12O2)2Si, SP] that distills from the reaction solution. LixSiON polymer electrolytes form on reacting SP with xLiNH2, offering a low-cost, low- temperature, and green synthesis route. The effect of N and Li+ concentrations in the polymer electrolytes are correlated with ionic and electrical conductivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirm that N and Li contents increase with increasing LiNH2 content. The amorphous nature and high Li+ contents of the Li6SiON electrolyte provide an optimal ionic conductivity (6.5 × 10−6) at ambient temperature when coated on Celgard. Furthermore, the LixSiON polymer electrolytes offer high Li+ transference numbers (∼0.75−1), enabling assembly of Li symmetric cells with high critical current densities (3.75 mA cm−2). Finally, Li-SPAN (sulfurized, carbonized polyacrylonitrile) half-cells with Li6SiON polymer electrolytes deliver discharge capacities of ∼765 and 725 mAh/g at 0.25 and 0.5 C rates over 50 cycles.
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Silica depleted rice hull ash (SDRHA), an agricultural waste, as a high-performance hybrid lithium-ion capacitor
Rice hull ash (RHA, an agricultural waste) produced during combustion of rice hulls to generate electricity consists (following dilute acid leaching) of high surface area SiO2 (80–90 wt%) and 10–20 wt% carbon (80 m2 g−1 total). RHA SiO2 is easily extracted by distillation (spirosiloxane) producing SDRHA, which offers an opportunity to develop “green” hybrid lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) electrodes. SDRHA consists of 50–65 wt% SiO2 with the remainder carbon with a specific surface area of ≈220 m2 g−1. SDRHA microstructure presents a highly irregular and disordered nanocomposite composed of nanosilica closely connected via graphene layers enhancing Li-ion mobility during charge/discharge process. SDRHA electrochemicalproperties were assessed by assembling Li/SDRHA half-cells and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NMC622)-SDRHA full-cells. The half-cell delivered a high specific capacity of 250 mA h g−1 at 0.5C and retained a capacity of 200 mA h g−1 at 2C for 400 h. In contrast to the poor cycle performance of NMC based batteries at high C-rates, the hybrid full-cell demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 200 F g−1 at 4C. In addition, both the half and full hybrid cells demonstrate excellent coulombic efficiencies (∼100%). These results suggest that low cost and environmentally friendly SDRHA, may serve as a potentialalternative electrode material for LICs.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1926199
- PAR ID:
- 10230945
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Green chemistry
- Volume:
- 22
- ISSN:
- 1463-9262
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 4656-4668
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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