L’étain est une alternative privilégiée en remplacement du carbone graphite comme matériau d’électrode négative dans les batteries Li-ion en raison de son importante capacité théorique spécifique massique de 993 mAh.g-1. Toutefois son expansion volumique lors sa lithiation conduit à sa dégradation au cours du cyclage, diminuant la durée de vie du matériau. Pour pallier à sa pulvérisation, l’utilisation de l’espace inter-granulaire via la nanostructuration du matériau est complétée par l’adjonction d’une matrice carbonée ou d’un autre élément inactif vis-à-vis de la lithiation (utilisation d’alliages intermétalliques). L’objectif de ce travail porte sur l’élaboration de nouveaux procédés de synthèse de nanoparticules d’étain et d’alliage étain-cuivre en milieu liquide ionique. Des nanoparticules de Sn de taille variant de 7 à 45 nm, selon la combinaison cation-anion du liquide ionique et à partir de différents sels métalliques, ont été synthétisées, ainsi qu’un nano-alliage, le composé Cu6Sn5. La taille des nanoparticules est liée à la nature de l’anion bien que le cation présente une interaction privilégiée avec la surface métallique des nanoparticules. Isolées du liquide ionique, les nanoparticules de Sn et Cu6Sn5 montrent une architecture de type cœur-coquille avec un cœur cristallin métallique ou intermétallique et une coquille amorphe d’oxydes d’étain. Les nanoparticules de type Sn@SnOx présentent une capacité spécifique élevée supérieure à 950 mAh.g-1, mettant en lumière un mécanisme de conversion réversible du SnOx surfacique, et celle du nano-alliage Sn-Cu@SnOx est proche de la capacité attendue pour un mécanisme d’alliage, à plus de 530 mAh.g-1. / Tin is a promising alternative to replace graphite carbon as a negative electrode material in Li-ion batteries due to its high specific theoretical mass capacity of 993 mAh.g-1. However, change in volume during lithiation leads to its mechanical degradation during the cycling, and consequently very short life of the material. To overcome this issue, the use of the intergranular space via the nanostructuration of the material combined by the addition of a carbon matrix or other inactive element vs. lithium (intermetallic alloys), which buffers drastically the volume expansion during the lithium alloying process, is employed. The aim of this work is to develop new processes for the synthesis of tin nanoparticles and tin-copper alloys in ionic liquid medium. Sn nanoparticles varying in size from 7 to 45 nm were synthesized, according to the cation-anion combination of the ionic liquid and from different metallic salts, as well as a nano-alloy compound, Cu6Sn5. The size of the nanoparticles is directly related to the nature of the anion although the cation has a privileged interaction with the metal surface of the nanoparticles. Once isolated from the ionic liquid, Sn and Cu6Sn5 nanoparticles have a core-shell architecture with a metallic or intermetallic crystalline core and an amorphous shell of tin oxides. A reversible conversion mechanism of the SnOx from the shell is highlighted for Sn@SnOx nanoparticles, with a high specific capacity of approximately 950 mAh.g-1. Sn-Cu@SnOx nano-alloys have a capacity close to the theoretical for an alloy mechanism at more than 530 mAh.g-1.

abstract: The automotive industry is committed to moving towards sustainable modes of transportation through electrified vehicles to improve the fuel economy with a reduced carbon footprint. In this context, battery-operated hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming commercially viable throughout the world. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with various active materials, electrolytes, and separators are currently being used for electric vehicle applications. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 - LFP) and Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (Li(NiMnCo)O2 - NMC) cathodes are being studied mainly due to higher cycle life and higher energy density values, respectively. In the present work, 26650 Li-ion batteries with LFP and NMC cathodes were evaluated for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) applications, using the Federal Urban Driving Schedule (FUDS) to discharge the batteries with 20 A current in simulated Arizona, USA weather conditions (50 ⁰C & <10% RH). In addition, 18650 lithium-ion batteries (LFP cathode material) were evaluated under PHEV mode with 30 A current to accelerate the ageing process, and to monitor the capacity values and material degradation. To offset the high initial cost of the batteries used in electric vehicles, second-use of these retired batteries is gaining importance, and the possibility of second-life use of these tested batteries was also examined under constant current charge/discharge cycling at 50 ⁰C. The capacity degradation rate under the PHEV test protocol for batteries with NMC-based cathode (16% over 800 cycles) was twice the degradation compared to batteries with LFP-based cathode (8% over 800 cycles), reiterating the fact that batteries with LFP cathodes have a higher cycle life compared to other lithium battery chemistries. Also, the high frequency resistance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was found to increase significantly with cycling, leading to power fading for both the NMC- as well as LFP-based batteries. The active materials analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed no significant phase change in the materials after 800 PHEV cycles. For second-life tests, these batteries were subjected to a constant charge-discharge cycling procedure to analyze the capacity degradation and materials characteristics. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Materials Science and Engineering 2017

Ces travaux ont permis d'approfondir les mécanismes de (dé)lithiation et de vieillissement dans des électrodes à base de silicium et de LiFePO4 pour accumulateurs Li-ion à partir d'observations multi-échelles. Des cartographies de phases, autant à l'échelle de la particule qu'à l'échelle de l'électrode, ont été menées par microscopie électronique mettant en évidence de fortes hétérogénéités. Pour le silicium, la mise en place de cartographie unique par STEM/EELS, s'appuyant sur une base de données des pertes faibles d'alliages sensibles à l'air et au faisceau d'électrons, a permis de comprendre les mécanismes de lithiation à l'échelle du nanomètre. L'étude de la première lithiation a montré des différences de mécanismes de réaction avec le lithium suivant deux facteurs : la taille des particules et les défauts au sein de celles-ci. Il a été observé une composition d'alliage LixSi plus faible pour les nanoparticules que pour les microparticules. Les défauts dus notamment au broyage constituent des sites préférentiels de lithiation. En vieillissement, les nanoparticules subissent de profonds changements structuraux et morphologiques, passant d'un état sphérique cristallin (50 nm) à un réseau de fils amorphe (5-10 nm d'épaisseur) contenu dans une matrice de SEI. Pour le LiFePO4, il a été clairement montré, par la combinaison de plusieurs techniques de microscopies électroniques (diffraction des électrons en précession, EFSD : Electron Forward Scattering Diffraction, EFTEM), que les particules de taille nanométrique (100-200 nm) étaient soit entièrement lithiées soit entièrement délithiées à l'équilibre thermodynamique. De fortes hétérogénéités ont été observées dans les électrodes fines comme dans les électrodes épaisses. A l'échelle des particules, l'analyse statistique de plus de 64000 particules a montré que les plus petites particules se délithient en premier. A l'échelle de l'agglomérat, les cartographies de phases ont révélé un mécanisme « cœur-coquille » : la réaction débute de la surface vers le centre des agglomérats. A l'échelle de l'électrode, le front de propagation de phase se déplace suivant des chemins préférentiels de plus grandes porosités de la surface de l'électrode vers le collecteur de courant. La conductivité ionique au sein de nos électrodes est le facteur limitant. / This work aimed at better understanding the (de)lithiation and aging mechanisms in LiFePO4 and silicon-based electrodes for Li-ion batteries from multiscale investigations. Phase mapping was performed by electron microscopy at the particle scale and at the electrode scale. This highlights some strong heterogeneities. The silicon study has shown some different lithium reaction mechanisms following two effects: particle size and crystalline defects. A smaller lithium amount in LixSi alloy was highlighted for the nanoparticles rather than for the microparticles. The defects mainly due to milling are preferential sites for the lithiation. In aging, the nanoparticles have undergone structural and morphological changes. The pristine crystalline spherical shape (50 nm) was transformed into an amorphous wire network (5-10 nm of thickness) contained in a SEI matrix. Thanks to a combination of electron microscopy techniques (precession electron diffraction, Electron Forward Scattering Diffraction, EFTEM), it was clearly shown that the LiFePO4 particles (100-200 nm) are either fully lithiated or fully delithiated at the thermodynamic equilibrium. Strong heterogeneities were observed in the thin and thick electrodes. At the nanoscale, the statistical analysis of 64000 particles unambiguously shows that the small particles delithiate in first. At the mesoscale, the phase maps reveal a core-shell mechanism at the scale of the agglomerates, from the surface to the center of these agglomerates. At the electrode scale, the phase front would move following preferential paths into the higher porosity from the surface in contact with electrolyte toward the current collector. The electrode ionic conductivity is the limiting parameter.

abstract: Novel materials for Li-ion batteries is one of the principle thrust areas for current research in energy storage, more so than most, considering its widespread use in portable electronic gadgets and plug-in electric and hybrid cars. One of the major limiting factors in a Li-ion battery's energy density is the low specific capacities of the active materials in the electrodes. In the search for high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries, many alternatives to carbonaceous materials have been studied. Both cubic and amorphous silicon can reversibly alloy with lithium and have a theoretical capacity of 3500 mAh/g, making silicon a potential high density anode material. However, a large volume expansion of 300% occurs due to changes in the structure during lithium insertion, often leading to pulverization of the silicon. To this end, a class of silicon based cage compounds called clathrates are studied for electrochemical reactivity with lithium. Silicon-clathrates consist of silicon covalently bonded in cage structures comprised of face sharing Si20, Si24 and/or Si28 clusters with guest ions occupying the interstitial positions in the polyhedra. Prior to this, silicon clathrates have been studied primarily for their superconducting and thermoelectric properties. In this work, the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of two categories of silicon clathrates - Type-I silicon clathrate with aluminum framework substitution and barium guest ions (Ba8AlxSi46-x) and Type-II silicon clathrate with sodium guest ions (Nax Si136), are explored. The Type-I clathrate, Ba8AlxSi46-x consists of an open framework of aluminium and silicon, with barium (guest) atoms occupying the interstitial positions. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that a crystalline phase of clathrate is obtained from synthesis, which is powdered to a fine particle size to be used as the anode material in a Li-ion battery. Electrochemical measurements of these type of clathrates have shown that capacities comparable to graphite can be obtained for up to 10 cycles and lower capacities can be obtained for up to 20 cycles. Unlike bulk silicon, the clathrate structure does not undergo excessive volume change upon lithium intercalation, and therefore, the crystal structure is morphologically stable over many cycles. X-ray diffraction of the clathrate after cycling showed that crystallinity is intact, indicating that the clathrate does not collapse during reversible intercalation with lithium ions. Electrochemical potential spectroscopy obtained from the cycling data showed that there is an absence of formation of lithium-silicide, which is the product of lithium alloying with diamond cubic silicon. Type II silicon clathrate, NaxSi136, consists of silicon making up the framework structure and sodium (guest) atoms occupying the interstitial spaces. These clathrates showed very high capacities during their first intercalation cycle, in the range of 3,500 mAh/g, but then deteriorated during subsequent cycles. X-ray diffraction after one cycle showed the absence of clathrate phase and the presence of lithium-silicide, indicating the disintegration of clathrate structure. This could explain the silicon-like cycling behavior of Type II clathrates. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Materials Science and Engineering 2013

Le besoin croissant de batteries à ions lithium dans notre société exige le développement de matériaux d'électrode positive, avec des exigences spécifiques en termes de densité énergétique, de coût et de durabilité. Dans ce but, nous avons exploré quatre composés à base de sulfate: un fluorosulfate - LiCuSO4F et une famille d'oxysulfates - Fe2O(SO4)2, Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 and Li2VO(SO4)2. Leur synthèse, structure et performances électrochimiques sont présentées pour la première fois. Étant électrochimiquement inactif, LiCuSO4F présente une structure triplite ordonnée qui est distincte des autres fluorosulfates. L'activité électrochimique des composés oxysulfate a été explorée face au lithium. Plus spécifiquement, Fe2O(SO4)2 délivre une capacité réversible d'environ 125 mA∙h/g à 3.0 V par rapport à Li+/Li0; Li2VO(SO4)2 et Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 présentent respectivement les potentiels les plus élevés de 4.7 V vs. Li+/Li0 parmi les composés à base de V et de Cu. Enfin, la phase Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 révèle la possibilité d'une activité électrochimique anionique dans une électrode positive polyanionique. Leurs propriétés physiques, telles que les conductivités ioniques et les propriétés magnétiques, sont également rapportées. Dans l'ensemble, les oxysulfates sont intéressants à étudier en tant qu'électrodes positives polyanioniques pour les batteries à ions lithium. / The increasing demand of our society for Li-ion batteries calls for the development of positive electrode materials, with specific requirements in terms of energy density, cost, and sustainability. In such a context, we explored four sulfate based compounds: a fluorosulfate – LiCuSO4F, and a family of oxysulfates – Fe2O(SO4)2, Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 and Li2VO(SO4)2. Herein their synthesis, structure, and electrochemical performances are presented for the first time. Being electrochemically inactive, LiCuSO4F displays an ordered triplite structure which is distinct from other fluorosulfates. The electrochemical activity of the oxysulfate compounds was explored towards lithium. Specifically, Fe2O(SO4)2 delivers a sustained reversible capacity of about 125 mA∙h/g at 3.0 V vs. Li+/Li0; Li2VO(SO4)2 and Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 respectively exhibit the highest potential of 4.7 V vs. Li+/Li0 among V- and Cu- based compounds. Last but not least, the Li2Cu2O(SO4)2 phase reveals the possibility of anionic electrochemical activity in a polyanionic positive electrode. Their physical properties, such as ionic conductivities and magnetic properties are also reported. Overall, this makes oxysulfates interesting to study as polyanionic positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries.

L’amélioration des systèmes de stockage d’énergie représente un défi majeur de la transition vers les véhicules électriques et les énergies renouvelables. Les accumulateurs Li-ion, qui ont déjà conquis le marché de l’électronique portatif, constitueront la technologie dominante pour réaliser cet objectif, et sont donc l’objet d’intense recherches afin d’améliorer leurs performances, en particulier en termes de capacité. Parmi les stratégies les plus prometteuse pour augmenter la capacité des matériaux de cathodes, beaucoup d’espoir est placé dans la préparation de matériaux riches en lithium, qui combinent l’activité électrochimique des cations (métaux de transitions) et des anions (oxygène). Cependant, l’activation des propriétés redox de l’oxygène est accompagnée de plusieurs problèmes qui freinent le développement industriel de ces matériaux. Il est donc nécessaire d’obtenir de solides connaissances fondamentales sur le phénomène de redox anionique pour résoudre ces problèmes. En utilisant des matériaux modèles à base d’iridium, ce travail explore comment l’activité de l’oxygène est influencé par son environnement local. Les propriétés électrochimiques des composés Na2IrO3 et Na(Li1/3Ir2/3)O2 sont étudiés afin de comprendre l’impact de la nature de l’ion alcalin. L’influence du ratio Li/M dans les oxydes de structure NaCl est étudié à travers la synthèse d’un nouveau composé de formule Li3IrO4, qui présente la plus haute capacité réversible parmi les matériaux d’insertion utilisés comme cathode. Cette famille de matériau est finalement étendue à des phases contenant des protons par une simple méthode d’échange cationique, et les propriétés électrochimiques d’un nouveau composé H3+xIrO4 sont étudiées, dévoilant de très bonnes propriétés de stockage de puissance en milieu aqueux. / Improving energy storage stands as a key challenge to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources in the next years. Li-ion batteries, which have already conquered the portable electronic market, will be the leading technology to achieve this goal and are therefore the focus of intense research activities to improve their performances, especially in terms of capacity. Among the most promising strategies to obtain high capacity cathode materials, the preparation of Li-rich materials combining the redox activity of cations (transition metals) and anions (oxygen) attracts considerable interest. However, activation of anionic redox in these high capacity materials comes with several issues that need to be solved prior their implementation in the energy storage market. Deep fundamental understanding of anionic redox is therefore required to go forward. Using model systems based on iridium, this work explores how the oxygen local environment can play a role on the activation of anionic redox. The electrochemical properties of Na2IrO3 and Na(Li1/3Ir2/3)O2 phases are studied to understand the impact of the alkali nature. The influence of the Li/M ratio in rocksalt oxides is investigated with the synthesis of a new material Li3IrO4, which presents the highest reversible capacity among intercalation cathode materials. The rich electrochemical properties of this family of iridate materials are finally extended by preparing proton-based materials through a simple ion-exchange reaction and the electrochemical properties of a new H3+xIrO4 material are presented, with high rate capability performances.

Ce mémoire est consacré à l'étude théorique des matériaux de cathode pour batteries Li-ion de structure olivine LiMPO4 (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), des phases délithiées MPO4 et des phases mixtes LiFexMn1-xPO4, FexMn1-xPO4 et LiFexCo1-xPO4. La stabilité des phases magnétiques et les paramètres de maille théoriques ont été déterminés par la méthode des pseudopotentiels et comparés aux données expérimentales. Les structures électroniques ont été calculées par une méthode « tout électron » et analysées en termes d'hybridation des orbitales atomiques Ces résultats ont permis d'interpréter les spectres de photoélectrons X et d'absorption des rayons X, en particulier les modifications réversibles associées aux cycles de lithiation/délithiation. Les effets de la polarisation de spin et de la corrélation électronique ont été discutés. Enfin, le calcul des paramètres Mössbauer du 57Fe a montré qu'un accord quantitatif entre les résultats théoriques et les données expérimentales nécessitait la prise en compte de ces deux effets. Ce type de calcul a permis de prédire et d'expliquer que la transformation LiFePO4FePO4 s'accompagnait de la variation du gradient de champ électrique Vzz d'une extrémité à l'autre de l'échelle Mössbauer pour 57Fe. / This thesis is devoted to the theoretical study of the cathode materials for Li-ion batteries with olivine structure LiMPO4 (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), the delithiated phases MPO4 and the mixed phases LiFexMn1-xPO4, FexMn1-xPO4 and LiFexCo1-xPO4. The magnetic phase stability and lattice parameters were theoretically determined from pseudopotential calculations and the results have been compared with experiments. Electronic structures were obtained from all electron calculations and analyzed in terms of orbital hybridization. The results have been used for the interpretation of X-ray photoemission and X-ray absorption spectra, especially changes due to lithiation/delithiation cycles. Effects of spin polarization and electronic correlation on the electronic structures have been also discussed. It has been shown that ab initio calculations of the 57Fe Mössbauer parameters also require these two effects in order to obtain a quantitative agreement with experiments. Finally, it was found that LiFePO4FePO4 transformation involves a dramatic change of the electric field gradient VZZ from one end to the other of the 57Fe Mössbauer scale.

State-of-the-art Li-ion cathode materials are based on LiMO2 (M=Ni, Mn, Co) layered transition metal oxides (denoted NMC) with Ni-rich composition because of their high specific capacity. Yet, these materials suffer from poor capacity retention due to crack formation during de-/lithiation cycling. Particle cracking leads to exposure of new electrode surface which leads to Li-inventory loss, increased side reactions, and electric disconnection. Quantification of the extent of cracking is therefore desirable, especially during in situ whilst cycling of the Li-ion cell. Herein, we evaluate and improve an analytical methodology based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in order to estimate the changes in electrochemically active surface area of both poly- and single-crystalline Ni0.8Mn0.1Co0.1(NMC811) active materials. A transmission-line model (TLM) applied to both non-blocking and blocking electrode condition was utilized in order to deconvolute and interpret the acquired experimental data. Fits of the complex TLM equivalent-circuits to the impedance spectra was facilitated by developing a global stochastic iterative function based on local multivariate optimization. Impedance analysis during short- term cycling showed that the single-crystalline NMC811 suffered from less particle cracking and side reactions compared to polycrystalline NMC811, which was also confirmed from post-mortem gas adsorption analysis. A novel approach to estimate the extent of particle cracking in commercial Li-ion cells by utilizing an empirically strong positive correlation between the charge-transfer capacitance and resistance was proposed. The work presented herein demonstrates the unique prospects of the EIS methodology in the development and research of future rechargeable batteries

This thesis deals with design of microprocessor controlled battery charger with support of NiCd, NiMH and Li-Ion cells. The project focus is aimed within circuits design at algorithm of charge detection implemented into microprocessor. User interface is formed by PC application which communicates with charger via USB. PC connection allows recording of charging characteristics behaviour. The result of thesis is completely designed and created battery charger including microprocessor and PC application source codes.

This master´s thesis is dealing with the theory of Li-ion accumulators and theirs charching. In this thesis has been designed accumulator tester for automatic charging and discharging of Li-ion accumulator. This tester is controlled by microprocessor.