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Metal hydrides for lithium-ion batteries

Nature Materials volume 7, pages 916–921 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Classical electrodes for Li-ion technology operate via an insertion/de-insertion process. Recently, conversion electrodes have shown the capability of greater capacity, but have so far suffered from a marked hysteresis in voltage between charge and discharge, leading to poor energy efficiency and voltages. Here, we present the electrochemical reactivity of MgH2 with Li that constitutes the first use of a metal-hydride electrode for Li-ion batteries. The MgH2 electrode shows a large, reversible capacity of 1,480 mAh g−1 at an average voltage of 0.5 V versus Li+/Li∘ which is suitable for the negative electrode. In addition, it shows the lowest polarization for conversion electrodes. The electrochemical reaction results in formation of a composite containing Mg embedded in a LiH matrix, which on charging converts back to MgH2. Furthermore, the reaction is not specific to MgH2, as other metal or intermetallic hydrides show similar reactivity towards Li. Equally promising, the reaction produces nanosized Mg and MgH2, which show enhanced hydrogen sorption/desorption kinetics. We hope that such findings can pave the way for designing nanoscale active metal elements with applications in hydrogen storage and lithium-ion batteries.

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Figure 1: Voltage profile and XRD patterns of MgH2 electrode at various stages of the conversion reaction.
Figure 2: Electrochemical and structural analysis proof for reversible conversion/formation of MgH2 in Li/MgH2 cell.
Figure 3: Electrochemical characterization of a MgH2 electrode.
Figure 4: Electrochemical reactivity and structural characterization of various metal hydrides towards Li.
Figure 5: Electrochemically prepared reactive MgH2 nanocomposite for hydrogen storage.

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Acknowledgements

D. W. Murphy and M. Armand are gratefully acknowledged for their enlightening discussions. Moreover, we want to thank L. Dupont for carrying out the TEM study and M. Latroche for providing the AB5H5 sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Réactivité et de Chimie des Solides UMR CNRS 6007, 100 rue Saint Leu, Amiens, France

    Y. Oumellal, A. Rougier, J-M. Tarascon & L. Aymard

  2. General Motors R & D and Planning Center, Warren, Michigan 48090, USA

    G. A. Nazri

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  1. Y. Oumellal
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  2. A. Rougier
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  3. G. A. Nazri
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  4. J-M. Tarascon
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Correspondence to L. Aymard.

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Oumellal, Y., Rougier, A., Nazri, G. et al. Metal hydrides for lithium-ion batteries. Nature Mater 7, 916–921 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2288

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