Abstract:
Lithium-ion battery has been regarded as the most attractive electrochemical power source for wide range of applications, including consumer device, electric vehicles, portable electronics and renewable energy storage, due to their potential high energy density and power density. Electrochemical characterizations are carried out in half and full cell configurations using LiPF6 electrolyte. Literature studies suggest that the PF6- ion decomposes upon contact with water or in humid air to form highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride HF that negatively affects the recycling performance of the battery. Remarkable efforts have been made to improve their high capacity, excellent rate capability and cycling stability by developing novel cathode materials to meet the ever increasing power-supply. Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) is one of the attractive cathode materials for its reasonable cost and safe to handle. Improvements involve performing cycling voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cycling life experiments.
Biography:
Tshifhiwa is a Senior Scientist specializing in energy storage, with a strong focus on advancing battery technologies. Her expertise lies in materials science and electrochemistry, particularly in the development of novel electrode materials, battery design, and system integration. She is currently part of the Research and Development division at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), where she leads research initiatives to enhance the performance and sustainability of energy storage solutions. With a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pretoria and postdoctoral training in the same institution, she has gained extensive experience in materials characterization and optimization for energy applications. Her research aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy storage systems for both consumer and renewable energy applications. Through her work, she strives to contribute to the advancement of battery technology by exploring innovative materials, optimizing electrochemical performance, and integrating sustainability into energy storage solutions. Her passion lies in bridging fundamental research with real-world applications to support the global transition toward cleaner and more efficient energy systems.
