ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR ENHANCING ENERGY STORAGE PERFORMANCE IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: DESIGN, SYNTHESIS, AND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the development and performance enhancement of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through the use of advanced materials, including silicon-based anodes, nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathodes, and optimized electrolytes. Silicon-based anodes, when combined with composite structures, demonstrated a significant increase in specific capacity and cycling stability, outperforming traditional graphite anodes. The results showed that silicon-based anodes exhibited an initial capacity of 1600 mAh/g, with a capacity retention of 81.3% after 100 cycles. NCM cathodes provided higher energy densities and voltage stability compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes, achieving a capacity retention of 89.5% after 200 cycles. Gel polymer electrolytes produced conductive characteristics slightly below ionic liquid-based electrolytes but maintained strong thermal stability to operate in high-temperature environments. Silicon-NCM full cells reached 350 Wh/kg energy density together with 500 cycle stability that outperformed graphite-LFP-based cells operating at 180 Wh/kg and 400 cycles. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method produced lower charge transfer resistance results and stronger ion diffusion performance when analyzing silicon-based anodes with NCM cathodes. Advanced materials present such excellent potential to improve LIB capabilities by enhancing both energy density and cycling stability for electric vehicles and grid storage applications.