Three-Dimensional Porous Nanographene for Highly Efficient Energy Storage

In this project funded by the National Science Foundation, we aim to systematically study novel nitrogen-doped nanographene structures that offer high surface areas and excellent electronic/ionic conductivity, and to capitalize on their 3D porous morphology that can provide exceptional structural and thermal robustness to overcome the long-term stability issues in LIBs. This is a National Science Foundation (NSF) - CBET-Energy Sustainability (CBET-1511528) project.

The unique chemical and physical properties of graphene, such as its superior electron conductivity, high capacity for Li intercalation, and excellent electrochemical stability, make it one of the most promising materials to be used as an advanced anode in rechargeable LIB (lithium ion battery) systems. However, the grand challenge of insufficient cyclic stability resulting from restacking needs to be addressed by designing and synthesizing robust graphene materials. We are exploring a novel method for synthesizing 3D nitrogen-doped nanographene structures, with the capability to deliberately control nitrogen-doping and molecular size. (Co-PIs: Prof. Chong Cheng and Johannes Hachmann)

• Casimir A.; Zhang H.; Ogoke O.; Lu J; Wu G, Silicon-based Anode for Lithium-ion Batteries: Effectiveness of Materials Synthesis and Electrode Preparation, Nano Energy, 27, 359–376, 2016.
• Yen, H. J.; Tsai, H.; Zhou, M.; Chen, A.; Holby, E. F.; Choudhury, S.; Zhang, H.; Zhu, L.; Lin, H.; Dai, L.; Wu G.; Wang H.L., Structurally Defined Nanographene Assemblies via Bottom-up Chemical Synthesis for Highly Efficient Lithium Storage. Adv. Mater 28 (46), 10250–10256, 2016.
• Ge, H.; Hao, T.; Osgood, H.; Zhang, B.; Chen, L.; Cui, L.; Song, X.-M.; Ogoke, O.; Wu, G. Advanced mesoporous spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/rGO composites with increased surface lithium storage capability for high-power lithium-ion batteries. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 9162–9169, 2016.
• Ge, H.; Chen, L.; Yuan, W.; Zhang, Y.; Osgood, H.; Matera, D.; Song, X.-M.; Wu, G. Unique mesoporous spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanosheets as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 297, 436-441, 2015.
• Chen, Y.; Lu, S.; Zhou, J.; Wu, X.; Qin, W.; Ogoke, O.; Wu, G., 3D Graphene Frameworks Supported Li₂S Coated with Ultra-Thin Al₂O₃ Films: Binder-Free Cathodes for High-Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 5, 102- 112, 2017. 

• Hanguang Zhang (PhD)
• Ogechi Ogoke (PhD)
• Shuo Ding (MS)
• Hannah Osgood (undergraduate)
• Daniel Matera (undergraduate)