Magnetic field assisted high capacity durable Li-ion battery using magnetic α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated expired drug derived N-doped carbon anode

Abstract

We have synthesized a novel ferromagnetic material by coating α-Fe 2 o 3 nanoparticles with N-doped carbon matrix using a simple combustion method. Expired paracetamol drugs are used as nitrogen and carbon source. This α-Fe 2 o 3 /NC shows ferromagnetic property due to the incorporation of oxygen defects. When used as the Li-ion battery anode, α-Fe 2 o 3 /NC shows higher capacity compared to commercial α-Fe 2 o 3 due to the occurrence of both intercalation and conversion reaction. Further, application of magnetic field at the anode of the freshly assembled cell at the first charge-discharge cycle, results in ~two-fold enhancement in specific capacity. For the cycled cell also, increase in the capacity from 80 mAh. g −1 to 150 mAh. g −1 at 5 A. g −1 is observed during the application of magnetic field at the 501 st charging cycle. This improved performance is attributed to the field-dependent enhancement of diffusion and convection due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect. Further, application of the magnetic field at 1001 st , 1501 st and 1751 st charging cycles shows improved LIB performance. We can show that not only the magnetic field, magnetic properties of the anode α-Fe 2 o 3 /NC also play a crucial role in influencing the battery performance. Moreover, utilization of expired drug helps in dramatically reducing pollution caused by its disposal. The depletion of fossil fuels and the concomitant increase of CO 2 effluence have stimulated the need for alternative energy technologies for the future society. One of the promising solutions is to shift from the existing fuel-powered vehicles to battery-powered ones. However, this demands high capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which has engendered the need for the research of alternative anode materials 1-4. Amongst the metal oxides, α-Fe 2 O 3 is widely studied due to its high theoretical capacity, excellent catalytic properties, electrochemical and thermal stability 3,5-8. During Li + ion insertion in bulk α-Fe 2 O 3 , iron atoms jump from tetrahedral sites to octahedral sites and result in face centred cubic Fe 3 O 4 structure and produces Fe and Li 2 O matrix 9. But this mechanism does not hold good for its nano counterpart 10. The reduced particle size of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles results in intercalation without the change in the crystal structure, thereby facilitates better Li + ion storage and durability in α-Fe 2 O 3 anode 10,11. But, the main drawback of α-Fe 2 O 3 is its large volume expansion which leads to the low durability and capacity fading over the cycles. Incorporation of high surface area porous carbon matrix helps to accommodate the volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation process 5,7,12. Compared to pure carbon matrix, N-doping on carbon helps in better interaction of Li and N doped carbon due to the higher electronegativity of nitrogen and change in the electron density near carbon atoms. This eventually lead to better stability of LIBs 1,12,13. Despite these, lithium deposition at anode and increasing concentration overpotential caus...

Magnetically active lithium-ion batteries towards battery performance improvement

“…Some experimental studies, such as that performed by Ganguly et al. ( Ganguly et al., 2020 ), demonstrate how an external field over a α-Fe 2 O 3 /NC anode battery enhances the first and second cycle CE from 70% (without applied MF) to 73.5% (with field), on the first cycle. Moreover, the increasing of the specific capacity from 1500 to 1700 mAh/g and from 1100 to 1300 mAh/g for a density of current of 50 mA/g , on first and second discharge cycle, respectively, was observed.…”

“…Consequently, the charging cycles process of the battery, at its beginnings, depends essentially on the creation of the layer of the SEI (Miura et al, 2017), since the electrolyte is protected by the SEI film, avoiding an increased exhaustion and the anode from corrosion since vigorous reactions arise between electrolyte material and anode material at the initial battery charging processes (Miura et al, 2017). Some experimental studies, such as that performed by Ganguly et al (Ganguly et al, 2020), demonstrate how an external field over a a-Fe 2 O 3 /NC anode battery enhances the first and second cycle CE from 70% (without applied MF) to 73.5% (with field), on the first cycle. Moreover, the increasing of the specific capacity from 1500 to 1700 mAh/g and from 1100 to 1300 mAh/g for a density of current of 50 mA/g , on first and iScience Review second discharge cycle, respectively, was observed.…”

Enhancement of hydrogen production using dynamic magnetic field through water electrolysis

“…This allows the hydroxyl ions to be transported faster, while limiting the H + ions transport in electrode‐electrolyte interface 33 . The applied magnetic field on α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles anode has doubled the specific capacity of a Li‐ion battery from 80 to 150 mAh g −1 due to the faster kinetics in Li + ions transport 34 . Another report shows fast charging Li‐ion graphite battery gain 22% additional capacity under the ambiance of external magnetic field 35 .…”

“…33 The applied magnetic field on α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles anode has doubled the specific capacity of a Li-ion battery from 80 to 150 mAh g À1 due to the faster kinetics in Li + ions transport. 34 Another report shows fast charging Li-ion graphite battery gain 22% additional capacity under the ambiance of external magnetic field. 35 Paramagnetic lithium ions in aqueous electrolytes solution experience MHD force as a result of spin vortex of magnetic poles interactions.…”

Theoretical Model for Magnetic Supercapacitors—From the Electrode Material to Electrolyte Ion Dependence

“…Very recently, there have been few studies on energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors and Li-batteries, where appreciable modifications in the electrochemical performance have been reported. − These effects are quite prominent in supercapacitors fabricated using metal oxides that have at least one magnetic ion. Most of the authors, including us, have attributed the change to the changing Lorentz force and/or magneto-hydrodynamic effects. − However, the literature lacks a suitable theoretical model that explains the experimental data and incorporates the impact of the radius of electrolyte’s ion, which is critical in the case of magnetic supercapacitors.…”