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Gary M Koenig, Jr

Gary M Koenig, Jr

Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Bio & Overview

Currently, energy storage is a major challenge for a variety of applications. Batteries with higher energy density, better safety, and lower cost will be needed to continue the deployment of vehicles in the transportation sector that rely on electrical energy to drive their motors. In addition, energy storage is needed to provide energy for intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar when weather conditions limit energy generation. Improving battery performance will require new innovations in battery materials, chemistries, and architectures. Our research investigates the design of new materials and materials chemistries. This research involves the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of materials properties using a variety of techniques. The primary area of application that we focus on is rechargeable battery electrode materials. We are interested in the tailored synthesis of new materials at multiple length scales. At the molecular scale, the physical properties of materials are largely dependent on the stoichiometry and stable structures that can be formed. In addition, nano-scale topographies and geometries can dramatically influence material performance. We investigate hierarchical approaches to simultaneously design materials at the molecular, nanometer, and micrometer length scales. In applications such as lithium-ion battery electrodes, the active materials must be assembled as particles within a composite matrix. We are investigating general strategies to control the interactions between particles to form ordered assemblies. We then determine the relationships between the structure of these ordered assemblies and the physical and electronic properties of the composites they form.

Academic Information

Department
Chemical Engineering

Research Interests

Materials for energy storage, electrochemistry, composite materials, nanomaterials, colloid and interface science, complex fluids, soft materials

Research Disciplines

  • Chemical Engineering

Selected Publications

2024

Wang, J., Hawkins, A. W., Saasi, A. T., Morin, C. G., Geise, G. M., & Koenig, G. M. (2024). Selective lithium extraction from brine via chemical reduction of iron phosphate with aqueous iron compounds. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS. doi:10.1039/d4se00703d

Gupta, D., Zhang, Y., Nie, Z., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2024). Neutron imaging the spatial progression of chemical oxidation of lithium-ion cathode material in a packed bed reactor. JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY, 133, 219-227. doi:10.1016/j.jiec.2023.11.060

Leroux, C. R., McCormack, P. M., Elango, S., Geise, G. M., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2024). Transport properties of ethylene glycol functionalized membranes exposed to nonaqueous electrolytes. POLYMER, 300. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2024.126986

2023

Wang, J., & Koenig, G. M. (2024). Direct Lithium Extraction Using Intercalation Materials. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 30(4). doi:10.1002/chem.202302776

Cai, C., Gao, L., Sun, T., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2023). Stable Multicomponent Multiphase All Active Material Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 15(29), 34662-34674. doi:10.1021/acsami.3c02896

Cai, C., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2023). Enhancing low electronic conductivity materials in all active material electrodes through multicomponent architecture. ENERGY ADVANCES, 2(2), 308-320. doi:10.1039/d2ya00269h

Cai, C., Min, B., Yost, D., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2023). Combining Ester Solvent-Containing Electrolytes with All-Active Material Electrodes for High Current Density Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS, 6(21), 11226-11233. doi:10.1021/acsaem.3c02085

Wang, J., & Koenig, G. M. (2023). Comparison of Lithium Diffusion Coefficient Measurements in Tellurium Electrodes via Different Electrochemical Techniques. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 170(5). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/acd43e

Cai, C., McCormack, P., Nie, Z., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2023). Impact of carbon coating processing using sucrose for thick binder-free titanium niobium oxide lithium-ion battery anode. JOURNAL OF ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 13(4), 641-658. doi:10.5599/jese.1655

Cai, C., & Koenig Jr, G. M. (2023). Processing Temperature Impact on TiNb2O7 Thick All Active Material Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 170(1). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/acb403

2022

Koenig, G. M. J., & Liu, N. (2022). Lithium-Ion Batteries and their Impact on our Lives. ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY INTERFACE, 31(3), 54-55. doi:10.1149/2.F07223IF

Cai, C., Nie, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2022). Multicomponent two-layered cathode for thick sintered lithium-ion batteries. MATERIALS ADVANCES, 3(10), 4200-4212. doi:10.1039/d1ma01074c

Parai, R., Nie, Z., Ghosh, D., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2022). Microstructure and mechanical properties of electrochemically cycled ice-templated Li4Ti5O12 sintered anodes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, 46(8), 11501-11509. doi:10.1002/er.7909

2021

McCormack, P. M., Koenig, G. M. J., & Geise, G. M. (2021). Thermodynamic Interactions as a Descriptor of Cross-Over in Nonaqueous Redox Flow Battery Membranes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 13(41), 49331-49339. doi:10.1021/acsami.1c14845

Simpson, J. G., Hanrahan, G., Loth, E., Koenig, G. M., & Sadoway, D. R. (2021). Liquid metal battery storage in an offshore wind turbine: Concept and economic analysis. RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, 149. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2021.111387

Nie, Z., Parai, R., Cai, C., Ghosh, D., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2021). Improving high rate cycling limitations of thick sintered battery electrodes by mitigating molecular transport limitations through modifying electrode microstructure and electrolyte conductivity. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING, 6(9), 708-712. doi:10.1039/d1me00082a

Nie, Z., Parai, R., Cai, C., Michaelis, C., LaManna, J. M., Hussey, D. S., . . . Koenig, G. M. J. (2021). Pore Microstructure Impacts on Lithium Ion Transport and Rate Capability of Thick Sintered Electrodes. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 168(6). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac0bf6

Gupta, D., Cai, C., & Koenig, G. M. (2021). Comparative Analysis of Chemical Redox between Redox Shuttles and a Lithium-Ion Cathode Material via Electrochemical Analysis of Redox Shuttle Conversion. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 168(5). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac0068

2020

Cai, C., Nie, Z., Robinson, J. P., Hussey, D. S., LaManna, J. M., Jacobson, D. L., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2020). Thick Sintered Electrode Lithium-Ion Battery Discharge Simulations: Incorporating Lithiation-Dependent Electronic Conductivity and Lithiation Gradient Due to Charge Cycle. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 167(14). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/abc747

Koenig, G. M. J., Gupta, D., & Kim, Y. (2020). Perspective-Expected Variation in Reported Coin Cell Capacities Due to Current Collector Mass Distribution. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 167(12). doi:10.1149/1945-7111/abb175

Nie, Z., Ong, S., Hussey, D. S., LaManna, J. M., Jacobson, D. L., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2020). Probing transport limitations in thick sintered battery electrodes with neutron imaging. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING, 5(1), 245-256. doi:10.1039/c9me00084d

Dong, H., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2020). A review on synthesis and engineering of crystal precursors produced via coprecipitation for multicomponent lithium-ion battery cathode materials. CRYSTENGCOMM, 22(9), 1514-1530. doi:10.1039/c9ce00679f

2019

Dong, H., Gardner, E., Barron, A. F., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2019). Apparent activation energy of multicomponent transition metal oxalates to probe synthesis of battery precursor materials. POWDER TECHNOLOGY, 354, 158-164. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2019.05.082

Deiner, L. J., Howell, T. G., Koenig, G. M., & Rottmayer, M. A. (2019). Interfacial reaction during co-sintering of lithium manganese nickel oxide and lithium aluminum germanium phosphate. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, 16(4), 1659-1667. doi:10.1111/ijac.13242

Nie, Z., McCormack, P., Bilheux, H. Z., Bilheux, J. C., Robinson, J. P., Nanda, J., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2019). Probing lithiation and delithiation of thick sintered lithium-ion battery electrodes with neutron imaging. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES, 419, 127-136. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.02.075

Geng, L., Foley, S. B., Dong, H., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2019). LiFePO4-Accelerated Change in Surface and Electrochemical Properties in Aqueous Systems Induced by Mechanical Agitation. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, 7(3). doi:10.1002/ente.201801116

2018

Michaelis, C., Erisen, N., Eroglu, D., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2019). Electrochemical performance and modeling of lithium-sulfur batteries with varying carbon to sulfur ratios. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, 43(2), 874-883. doi:10.1002/er.4318

Dong, H., Wang, A., Smart, G., Johnson, D., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2018). In-situ analysis of nucleation and growth of transition metal oxalate battery precursor particles via time evolution of solution composition and particle size distribution. COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS, 558, 8-15. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.08.047

Robinson, J. P., Ruppert, J. J., Dong, H., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2018). Sintered electrode full cells for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY, 48(11), 1297-1304. doi:10.1007/s10800-018-1242-y

Geng, L., Denecke, M. E., Foley, S. B., Dong, H., Qi, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2018). Electrochemical characterization of lithium cobalt oxide within aqueous flow suspensions as an indicator of rate capability in lithium-ion battery electrodes. ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, 281, 822-830. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2018.06.037

Dong, H., Wang, A., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2018). Role of coprecipitation and calcination of precursors on phase homogeneity and electrochemical properties of battery active materials. POWDER TECHNOLOGY, 335, 137-146. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2018.05.020

2017

Robinson, J. P., Kichambare, P. D., Deiner, J. L., Miller, R., Rottmayer, M. A., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2018). High temperature electrode-electrolyte interface formation between LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 and Li1.4Al0.4Ge1.6(PO4)3. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, 101(3), 1087-1094. doi:10.1111/jace.15294

Qi, Z., Liu, A. L., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2017). Carbon-free Solid Dispersion LiCoO2 Redox Couple Characterization and Electrochemical Evaluation for All Solid Dispersion Redox Flow Batteries. ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, 228, 91-99. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2017.01.061

Dong, H., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2017). Compositional control of precipitate precursors for lithium-ion battery active materials: role of solution equilibrium and precipitation rate. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, 5(26), 13785-13798. doi:10.1039/c7ta03653a

Qi, Z., Dong, H., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2017). Electrochemical Characterization of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials with Aqueous Flowing Dispersions. ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, 253, 163-170. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2017.09.031

Qi, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2017). Review Article: Flow battery systems with solid electroactive materials. JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY B, 35(4). doi:10.1116/1.4983210

2016

Qi, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2017). Electrochemical Evaluation of Suspensions of Lithium-Ion Battery Active Materials as an Indicator of Rate Capability. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 164(2), A151-A155. doi:10.1149/2.0681702jes

Qi, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2016). High-Performance LiCoO2 Sub-Micrometer Materials from Scalable Microparticle Template Processing. CHEMISTRYSELECT, 1(13), 3992-3999. doi:10.1002/slct.201600872

Qi, Z., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2016). A carbon-free lithium-ion solid dispersion redox couple with low viscosity for redox flow batteries. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES, 323, 97-106. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.05.033

2015

Robinson, J. P., & Koenig, G. M. J. (2015). Tuning solution chemistry for morphology control of lithium-ion battery precursor particles. POWDER TECHNOLOGY, 284, 225-230. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2015.06.070

2010

Koenig, G. M. J., Lin, I. -H., & Abbott, N. L. (2010). Chemoresponsive assemblies of microparticles at liquid crystalline interfaces. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 107(9), 3998-4003. doi:10.1073/pnas.0910931107