10:30 Saluto del Direttore

10:35 Jung Yang - Research progress in advanced Li-S battery and Silicon-based anodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract - Several technical challenges still limit the practical application of Li-S battery. Among these, the instability of Li anode has become a dominant factor limiting the cycle life and safety. In addition, dissolution of polysulfide ions from elemental sulfur based cathodes in ether based electrolytes and the consequent shuttle reaction are very difficult to be avoided, which lead to the poor cyclability and serious self-discharge. We have designed and developed novel pPAN@S cathode materials, in which molecular (or even atomic)-level sulfur distribution and embedding in the conducting matrix avoids the shuttle reaction and self-discharge. Moreover, this cathode can be used in carbonate based electrolytes. However, the cycle life of the Li-pPAN@S cell is still limited in the conventional LiPF₆/EC+DMC electrolyte, mostly due to the poor cycle stability on the anode side. In this presentation, we report a new carbonate electrolyte system (1M lithium oxalyldifluoroborate (LiODFB)/EC+DMC+FEC (4.5:4.5:1 v/v/v)) for Li-pPAN@S battery. On the other hand, Si-based composites are regarded as the promising anode materials for the next generation of Li-ion batteries. Here, the developed Si-based material structures and electrode binders are also presented and discussed.

11:35 Claudio Capiglia - Easy and cost effective implementation of Sulfur based cathode for Li-S battery, and high energy density anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Abstract - Despite the research & development ongoing around the world, practical application of Li-Sulfur battery is still hindered by two main challenges: a) poor electronic and ionic conductivities of sulfur (S₈) and lithium sulfide (Li₂S) b) dissolution of intermediate lithium polysulfides (Li₂S_x, x ≥ 4) in electrolyte solution. Nitrogen-doped Single Wall Carbon Nanohorns (N-SWCNHs) are porous carbon materials with unique horn-shape structure. These materials with high surface area and good conductivity can be used for sulfur encapsulation, making them attractive conductive host material for Li-Sulfur batteries. Herein, a facile melt diffusion method was used to prepare NSWCNHs-Sulfur composite. The same method was used to make N-SWCNHs-Tin composite. We were able to achieve N-SWCNHs-Sulfur based electrodes with high gravimetric capacity of 1650 mAh/g and high sulfur content of 80%. The electrodes of N-SWCNHs-Sulfur composite provide stable capacity of 750 mAh/g for 250 cycles and for the composite of N-SWCNHs-Tin based electrode, we achieved capacity up to 800 mAh/g