Graphene-Enhanced Battery Components in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries

Abstract

Stepping into the 21st century, “graphene fever” swept the world due to the discovery of graphene, made of single-layer carbon atoms with a hexagonal lattice. This wonder material displays impressive material properties, such as its electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength, and it also possesses unique optical and magnetic properties. Many researchers see graphene as a game changer for boosting the performance of various applications. Emerging consumer electronics and electric vehicle technologies require advanced battery systems to enhance their portability and driving range, respectively. Therefore, graphene seems to be a great candidate material for application in high-energy-density/high-power-density batteries. The “graphene battery”, combining two Nobel Prize-winning concepts, is also frequently mentioned in the news and articles all over the world. This review paper introduces how graphene can be adopted in Li-ion/Li metal battery components, the designs of graphene-enhanced battery materials, and the role of graphene in different battery applications.

Tailoring the Size of Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets to Fabricate Silicon Composite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…This not only provides stable sites for SEI formation, but also offers abundant Li-ion diffusion pathways. The wrinkled rGO also acts as a buffer to accommodate repeated volume changes in the Si material during charging and discharging Figures b- d present charge/discharge profiles of Si anodes during cycling.…”

“…The use of silicon (Si) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has great potential due to its high theoretical capacity (4,200 mA h g –1 ), making it an attractive candidate for next-generation energy storage systems. , However, the practical implementation of Si anodes is hindered by inherent challenges, primarily due to the significant volume expansion and contraction that occurs during repeated lithiation and delithiation cycles. , This mechanical stress results in the pulverization of Si particles, the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI), and consequently limited cycle life. To address these challenges, the incorporation of a protective layer, such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO), has emerged as a viable solution due to the low cost, highly dispersible, and facile reduction of graphene oxide (GO). − The unique properties of rGO, including its mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and flexibility, make it an ideal candidate for mitigating the adverse effects of Si volume changes, thereby improving the overall performance and lifetime of Si-based anodes. , …”

Status Quo on Graphene Electrode Catalysts for Improved Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions in Li-Air Batteries

“…The emerging separators are ceramic blended "wet" PE membrane, ceramic/polymer coated PO membrane, nanofiber separators, cellulose/polymer paper, ceramic/PVDF cast or sprayed layer, ceramic filled nonwovens, PET nonwoven separators, etc. [66][67][68].…”

Graphene in Solid-State Batteries: An Overview

“…Commercially, copper (Cu) is a preferred current collector for Li anode due to its electrochemical stability at low potentials (0.01-0.25 V vs. Li/Li + voltage). To improve Li anode performance, the incorporation of novel nanostructured materials such as graphene with Cu is being actively considered [107][108][109]. The CVD-derived graphene on Cu mesh (Figure 7a,b) improved the reversible capacity of Li-based SSBs by lowering the impedance [110].…”