Exploring the Efficacy of Iron Doping in Gallium (III) Oxide as an Anode in Conversion-Type Rechargeable Batteries
Authors:
- Students:
- Maxwell Bacon
- Lauren Bates
- Aidan Dauber
- Anila Moparthi
- Nabil Othman
- Kellie Sucha
- Manuel Tsoukatos
- Teachers:
- Benjamin Voliva
- Maria Wilson
- Mentors:
- Carlo Segre (Illinois Institute of Technology, Advanced Photon Source, Sector 10-BM)
- Otavio Marques (Illinois Institute of Technology)
Advanced Photon Source Sector 10: MRCAT
The demand for rechargeable batteries is higher than ever, especially with the increasing popularity of portable mobile devices, personal computers, and electric vehicles. At the same time, the requirement for rechargeable batteries to be cheaper, longer lasting, and energy efficient for commercial use has increased. Despite their abundance in the field of electronics, the limited capacity and energy density of intercalation type batteries display the growing need for further developments in anode and cathode materials. Conversion type materials present a novel and promising alternative as their transformative properties have potential to increase both specific capacity and energy density. Gallium based anodes have so far been presented as a potential solution. In recent research, gallium based anodes have had promising results in terms of longevity and consistent energy outputs. Both gallium’s self healing properties and negative reduction potential contribute to potentially elevated specific capacity and battery cycling efficiency as an anode material. In addition, iron (Fe) doping was introduced to the material in an attempt to stabilize the structure and increase entropy. In an off centered position, the smaller iron molecule has more atomic space to react with neighboring molecules.