Student Poster Presentation #19 (Session 2)
Binder free Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs) via Electroless
Deposition method
Venroy Watson 1 , Wete Telama, Egwu Eric Kalu
Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer
St., Tallahassee, FL 32310
Abstract
Graphite (372 mAh/g) powder is currently used as Li-battery anode material but urgent need exists to replace it
with materials with higher capacity, energy and power density. Investigation of Sn (991mAh/g) as an alternative
to graphite has been explored through many approaches which has not been able to address the large volume
expansion (fabrication related) and performance limitations associated with Sn during cycling 1,2 . In this work,
by using electroless deposition method, a new approach of fabricating high performing Cu-Sn alloy for lithium
battery anode with high capacity, power density and long cycle life will be presented.
In our approach, Cu was electrolessly deposited on carbon cloth followed by immersion of the Cu-plated cloth in
a Sn bath for partial displacement of Cu and subsequent formation of Cu-Sn alloy. The Cu-Sn alloy deposited on
carbon cloth over various times was used in Coin cell with Li metal as counter electrode. The open circuit voltage
of freshly fabricated cell varied from 2.02V (for pristine carbon cloth) to 3V (for Cu-Sn plated carbon cloth). First
cycle specific discharge capacity from open circuit voltage to 0.007V for our new electrodes varied between
561mAh/g to 656mAh/g based on the mass of Cu-Sn deposited on the cloth. The results of the cell’s performance
evaluation as a function of Sn Cu displacement time will be presented.
Fig. 1: First cycle specific discharge capacity from open circuit voltage to 0.007V based on the mass of Cu-Sn
alloy deposited on one side of the cloth.
References
1. F. Ke, L. Huang, J. Cai, S. Sun, Electrochimica Acta 52 (2007) 6741–6747
2. S. Liua, Q. Lia, Y. Chenb, F. Zhangb, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 478 (2009) 694–698
3. K.D. Kepler, J.T. Vaughey, M.M. Thackeray, Journal of Power Sources 81–82 (1999) 383–387
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