Iron Fluoride Cathode for Li Battery Technology

The objective of the proposed research is to advance NASA's Li-ion battery (LIB) cathode technology. Reversible conversion reactions have been demonstrated with metal sulfides, oxides, nitrides, phosphides and fluorides. Only the fluoride materials provide conversion potentials suitable for high energy capacity applications. The objective of the proposed research is to advance NASA's LIB cathode technology. Reversible conversion reactions have been demonstrated with metal sulfides, oxides, nitrides, phosphides and fluorides. Iron fluoride constitutes one of the most promising materials to maximize the energy density of Li-ion batteries. Proposed work focuses on the (1) synthesis of pre-lithiated cathode by forming a nanocomposite of LiF and Fe metal and (2) evaluating cathode electrochemical performance by cell testing.

NASA seeks new power systems with significant mass and volume savings (2 to 4X), increased efficiency (2 to 3X) and operational at low and high temperatures and extreme radiation environments. Higher energy density will enable longer operational times than current battery systems, compared on a mass or volume basis. To meet NASA's demand for high energy density applications; 1) new high capacity cathodes are required or 2) compensate for a low cathode capacity by greatly increasing the number of cells. Low capacity cathode will not lead to reduction in mass and volume.

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