@article{Ryu2023, 
author = {Kun Ryu and Michael J. Lee and Kyungbin Lee and Seung Woo Lee},
title = {ZnO-Embedded Expanded Graphite Composite Anodes with Controlled Charge Storage Mechanism Enabling Operation of Lithium-Ion Batteries at Ultra-Low Temperatures},
year = {2023},
journal = {Energy & Environmental Materials},
volume = {6},
number = {4},
keywords = {diffusive and capacitive charge storages, expanded graphite composites anode, lithium-ion battery, low-temperature operation, transition metal oxide},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1002/eem2.12662},
doi = {10.1002/eem2.12662},
abstract = {As lithium (Li)-ion batteries expand their applications, operating over a wide temperature range becomes increasingly important. However, the low-temperature performance of conventional graphite anodes is severely hampered by the poor diffusion kinetics of Li ions (Li+). Here, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are incorporated into the expanded graphite to improve Li+ diffusion kinetics, resulting in a significant improvement in low-temperature performance. The ZnO–embedded expanded graphite anodes are investigated with different amounts of ZnO to establish the structure-charge storage mechanism-performance relationship with a focus on low-temperature applications. Electrochemical analysis reveals that the ZnO–embedded expanded graphite anode with nano-sized ZnO maintains a large portion of the diffusion-controlled charge storage mechanism at an ultra-low temperature of −50 °C. Due to this significantly enhanced Li+ diffusion rate, a full cell with the ZnO–embedded expanded graphite anode and a LiNi0.88Co0.09Al0.03O2 cathode delivers high capacities of 176 mAh g−1 at 20 °C and 86 mAh g−1 at −50 °C at a high rate of 1 C. The outstanding low-temperature performance of the composite anode by improving the Li+ diffusion kinetics provides important scientific insights into the fundamental design principles of anodes for low-temperature Li-ion battery operation.}
}