Three-dimensional bicontinuous ultrafast-charge and -discharge bulk battery electrodes.

Title	Three-dimensional bicontinuous ultrafast-charge and -discharge bulk battery electrodes.
Authors	Paul Braun, X. Yu, H. Zhang
Magazine	Nature nanotechnology
Date	04/30/2011
DOI	10.1038/nnano.2011.38
Introduction	The demand for rapid charge and discharge rates is critical in electrical energy storage devices. However, this often leads to a significant reduction in the energy capacity of most rechargeable batteries. Supercapacitors, while not facing this issue, are limited in energy density compared to batteries. We present a solution that combines the rate performance of supercapacitors with the energy density of batteries. Our approach utilises cathodes constructed from a self-assembled three-dimensional bicontinuous nanoarchitecture, incorporating an electrolytically active material between fast ion and electron transport pathways. This design allows achieving rates up to 400C for lithium-ion and 1,000C for nickel-metal hydride chemistries, enabling a lithium-ion battery to reach 90% charge in just 2 minutes with minimal capacity loss.
Quote	Paul V. Braun, X. Z. Yu and H. Zhang. Three-dimensional bicontinuous ultrafast-charge and -discharge bulk battery electrodes.. 2011. DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2011.38
Element	Lithium (Li) , Nickel (Ni)
Materials	Metals and Alloys , Chemical Compounds , Nanocomposites
Topics	Energy Materials , Lithium-Ion Battery Materials , Supercapacitor Materials
Industry	Energy Storage & Batteries , Electronics