Event
ChBE Seminar Series: Kang Xu
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 2110, Chemical & Nuclear Engineering Bldg.
Professor Chunsheng Wang
(301) 405-0352
cswang@umd.edu
Electrolytes and Interfaces in Li Ion Batteries
Presented by Dr. Kang Xu
Research Chemist
Sensor and Electron Devices Directorate
Army Research Laboratory
Electrolyte distinguishes electrochemistry from conventional "flask and beaker" chemistry, by separating the reactants physically and creating a pair of interfaces on these reactants (electrodes). In an electrochemical power source, these resistive interfaces not only exert critical controls on the kinetics of cell reactions, but also are responsible for the sustainable operation of the devices. Focusing on the lithium ion chemistry, this seminar will introduce how the electrolyte components (solvents, salt and additives) dictate the formation chemistry of interfaces, and the continued efforts at tailoring their physicochemical properties to improve the energy/power density, operational temperature tolerances and safety of this youngest battery chemistry.