Synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for Energy Applications by Laser Pyrolysis

N. Herlin Boime (1) , A. Desrues (1) , R. Belchi (1) , A. Habert (1) , D. Porterat (1) , J. P. Alper (1) , J. Bouclé (2) , S. Franger (3) , C. Haon (4)

1 LEDNA - Laboratoire Edifices Nanométriques
2 XLIM - XLIM
3 ICMMO - Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d'Orsay
4 LITEN - Laboratoire d'Innovation pour les Technologies des Energies Nouvelles et les nanomatériaux

Laser pyrolysis is an effective method to synthesize a variety of oxide and non-oxide nanoparticles such as SiC, Si, TiO2, etc. This paper will present one example each of oxide and non-oxide materials being studied in our labs, describing both their synthesis methods and applications. First, we will discuss silicon and silicon alloy core-shell nanoparticles and their performance as anode materials in Li-ion batteries. Next we will cover TiO2-carbon nanocomposites as active materials in perovskite solar cells. Due to increasing demand in energy storage, much attention has been paid to Si as an anode material in Li-Ion batteries because of its theoretical capacity (3579 mAh/g in the Li15Si4 alloy vs 372 mAh/g for graphitic carbon). However, silicon suffers several drawbacks, including rapid pulverization and continuous ripening of the solid-electrolyte interphase, limiting its use. Nanostructuration and protection of silicon by a carbon coating are proven methods to improve the behavior of the silicon-based anodes. We will present the development of a two stage laser pyrolysis reactor, wherein the continuous synthesis of silicon-carbon core-shell nanoparticles was achieved. That is, there are no intermediate manipulations between the synthesis of the core (from silane precursor) and the shell (from ethylene). The protective influence of the carbon coating is clearly seen by impedance spectroscopy. Another strategy to enhance the performance and lifetime of of Si-based anode materials is the use of Si alloys. By adding germane in the reaction zone, we were able to synthesize nanoparticles of SixGe1-x with x in the range 20-80. These particles also present a core@shell organization with a silicon shell at the surface of the alloy particle. Li-ion coin cells incorporating these materials demonstrate improved coulombic efficiency and stability.

Domaines: Matériaux

N. Herlin Boime, A. Desrues, R. Belchi, A. Habert, D. Porterat, et al.. Synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for Energy Applications by Laser Pyrolysis. 4th International Symposium Gas-Phase Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials, Apr 2020, Duisburg, Germany. ⟨cea-02485699⟩