Energy Storage Division

Grid-level Storage

To improve the resiliency of the grid and integrate renewable energy sources, battery systems to store energy for later demand are of the utmost importance. We focus on developing electrochemical energy storage systems based on sustainable materials for safe, long-life batteries.

Beyond Li-ion Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

This book chapter introduced several types of potential grid-scale electrochemical energy storage systems (GSEESSs) utilizing beyond Li-ion battery technologies (lead-acid batteries, redox-flow batteries, Na-S batteries, metal-air batteries, Na-ion batteries, as well as Mg and Zn batteries). Details regarding battery mechanisms, compositions, performance metrics, advantages, and disadvantages were discussed to provide a road map to guide future research and development to promote the commercial application of GSEESS.

Quantitative temporally and spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence microprobe characterization of the manganese dissolution-deposition mechanism in aqueous Zn/α-MnO₂ batteries

Rechargeable aqueous Zn/α-MnO₂ batteries are a possible alternative to lithium ion batteries for scalable stationary energy storage applications due to their low cost, safety and environmentally benign components. In this report, operando, spatiotemporal resolved synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping measurements on a custom aqueous Zn/α-MnO₂ cell provided direct evidence of a Mn dissolution-deposition faradaic mechanism that governs the electrochemistry. Simultaneous visualization and quantification of the Mn distribution in the electrolyte revealed the formation of aqueous Mn species during discharge and depletion on charge.

Achieving Stable Molybdenum Oxide Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries in Water-in-Salt Electrolyte

Layered MoO₃ represents a promising cathode for aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries, but the implementation of this material is limited due to the low conductivity and poor structural stability. A 30 m ZnCl₂ water-in-salt electrolyte (WISE) is introduced to a MoO₃ nanobelt cathode for the first time, significantly increasing the stability of MoO₃ cathodes compared to those in 3 m ZnSO₄ and 3 m ZnCl₂. The Zn/MoO₃ cell in WISE unambiguously demonstrates significantly improved rate performance delivering 349, 253, and 222 mAh g^-1 at 100, 500, and 1000 mA g^-1, denoting a 12x capacity increase of those achieved in 3 m electrolytes at 1000 mA g^-1.