Posted on 07/31/2024 6:23:46 AM PDT by Red Badger
A new strategy for all-solid-state lithium batteries enhances energy density and extends lifespan by using a special material that removes the need for additional additives. This advancement promises over 20,000 cycles of efficient operation, marking a significant step forward in battery technology.
An innovative cathode homogenization strategy for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASLBs) has been introduced by researchers at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from leading international institutions.
This new approach, detailed in their paper published today (July 31) in Nature Energy, significantly improves the cycle life and energy density of ASLBs, representing an important advancement in energy storage technology.
Challenges in Current ASLBs
Current ASLBs face challenges due to heterogeneous composite cathodes, which require electrochemically inactive additives to enhance conduction. These additives, while necessary, reduce the batteries’ energy density and cycle life due to their incompatibility with the layered oxide cathodes, which undergo substantial volume changes during operation.
Researchers have developed a solution: a cathode homogenization strategy utilizing a zero-strain material, Li1.75Ti2(Ge0.25P0.75S3.8Se0.2)3 (LTG0.25PSSe0.2). This material exhibits excellent mixed ionic and electronic conductivity, ensuring efficient charge transport throughout the (dis)charge process without the need for additional conductive additives.
The LTG0.25PSSe0.2 material shows impressive performance metrics, including a specific capacity of 250 mAh g–1 and minimal volume change of just 1.2%. A homogeneous cathode made entirely of LTG0.25PSSe0.2 enables room-temperature ASLBs to achieve over 20,000 cycles of stable operation and a high energy density of 390 Wh kg−1 at the cell level.
Schematic illustration of cathode microstructure evolution during charging. (a) Conventional heterogeneous composite cathode and (b) the proposed homogeneous cathode with efficient mixed conduction. Credit: QIBEBT
Expert Insights on the New Approach
“Our cathode homogenization strategy challenges the conventional heterogeneous cathode design,” said Dr. Longfei Cui, co-first author of the study from Solid Energy System Technology Center (SERGY) at QIBEBT. “By eliminating the need for inactive additives, we enhance energy density and extend the battery’s cycle life.”
“This approach is a game-changer for ASLBs,” remarked Dr. Shu Zhang, co-first author of the study from SERGY. “The combination of high energy density and extended cycle life opens up new possibilities for the future of energy storage.”
Prof. Jiangwei Ju, co-corresponding author of the study from SERGY, added, “The material’s stability and performance metrics are impressive, making it a strong candidate for commercial applications in electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.”
This advancement is supported by extensive testing and theoretical calculations. These analyses confirm the electrochemical and mechanical stability of the homogeneous cathodes, showing no adverse chemical reactions or significant resistance increases after prolonged cycling.
Broader Implications for Energy Storage
Beyond ASLBs, other battery types, including solid-state sodium batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and fuel cells, also face challenges with heterogeneous electrodes. These systems often suffer from mechanochemical and electrochemical incompatibilities, creating significant bottlenecks and degrading overall battery performance.
“The commercialization potential for high-energy-density ASLBs is now more achievable,” added Prof. Guanglei Cui, head of SERGY. “Our universal strategy for designing multifunctional homogeneous cathodes can overcome the energy, power, and lifespan barriers in energy storage, paving the way for real-world applications.”
Significant Milestone in Battery Technology
By addressing key challenges in ASLBs, this strategy sets a foundation for future innovations in energy storage technology. The team plans to further explore the scalability of the LTG0.25PSSe0.2 material and its integration into practical battery systems.
This work represents a significant milestone in battery technology and offers a promising outlook for future advancements. The team’s innovative approach is expected to influence future research and development in the field of energy storage, providing a strong foundation for the next generation of high-performance batteries.
Reference:
“A cathode homogenization strategy for enabling long-cycle-life all-solid-state lithium batteries” 31 July 2024, Nature Energy. DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01596-6
Seems like these battery tech articles come out every few months promising “game-changing”, “record-breaking” or “new-era” in battery technology.
It’s the same old thing. Big promises...nothing more. Until batteries can charge in the same amount of time as pumping gas and get a range of 300+ miles, it’s not “game-changing”. More like “gas-lighting”.
... along with collaborators technology stolen by Chinese undergrads from leading international institutions.
Without exploding.
the pictures convinced me. invest a billion.
And for a low, low investment of only $5,000 you can get in on the ground floor of this exciting new technology that will change the world and create massive wealth for early investors!
Solid state batteries are the next big thing.
This development fixes the low number of recharge cycles problem.
New materials for cathodes and anodes fix the shorting out and fire hazard problems.
The Charge Time problem isn’t all the battery’s fault, but the type of chargers and the amperage they can deliver.
The Energy Density (mileage) problem is being actively researched and will eventually rival if not surpass liquid fuels.
It may take a decade, but it can happen...............
They don’t explode?
Do they at least burn well? (-:)
it’s within the real of physics to get 20K cycles and 390 Wh.
If/when it goes to production, even if it’s NOT low cost, it will change the world.
20K cycles = 57.8 years with a daily charge/recharge. Probably 100 years in a car usage.
EVs are still crap , go for a drive and all you do is look for places to charge and if you break down no one knows how to fix it etc etc etc
Charging stations have tooooooooo many rules and the big one is you can’t charge about 80% so there goes your mileage right there and charging at a station costs a ton
Meanwhile, almost half of existing homes in the US still have a 60A service.
If you want to charge from home the cost will depend on where the power enters your home and where you want to park your car for charging and it will be thousands of dollars
Some are economic spies,some are diplomatic spies and some are military spies. Many agree to do so willingly..or even enthusiastically.
But to those who are reluctant a government agent says to them “remember,Comrade,while you're in Japan/Great Britain/United States,etc if you don't get us the info we want we know exactly where every member of your family lives”.
“Meanwhile, almost half of existing homes in the US still have a 60A service.”
I would love to see a valid reference for this claim. I would bet it’s a number you pulled out of your own head.
I own / inherited 5 homes the oldest was built in 1946 even that home has 100 amp 240V service upgraded for central AC in the 1970s at that. The other four are all newer 1980,1996,2007,2018 they have 200,200,300,300 amp connections even the steel building and the ADU on two of the properties both have 200 amp drops in addition to the main structure. I have never seen a 60 amp service in Texas not even in GI World war two builds in old San Antonio or older rural builds in Dilly Texas where both sets of my grandparents had 1920s era structures that didn’t get electric until the 1960s they all had 100 amp or more drops.
What we are getting from lithium is all we can get from lithium, or very near to it. We have super computed lithium for the last thirty years and where we are at is all we can get from lithium. Right now, lithium is as energy dense as about 7% of a gallon gas.
The energy density of lithium is between 50-260 watts/kg.
The energy density of gasoline is 12.5000 watts/kg.
Right now, even with 30 years of supercomputing, gasoline will still go about 14 times farther in turning it’s potential energy into kinetic energy. We are also still pulling advancements out of gasoline.
Our options, when it comes to lithium is either engineer it so electrons are pushed closer together to make it more energy dense, which poses an obvious explosion risk.
We can make the battery bigger, to hold more lithium, which will play off against how big we can make it before any gains in distance becomes effectively nullified.
Or we can make the vehicles lighter by foregoing metal parts in favour of plastic, which will play against durability of the vehicle and your safety in the event of an accident.
Otherwise, what we have is probably all we can have when it comes to lithium. To make advancements, we will need to replace lithium with something else.
Indeed arsonists love those things can’t stop the fire very easily if at all.
“will eventually rival if not surpass liquid fuels.”
Batteries are self-contained energy storage devices. Petroleum fuel, on the other hand, is only half of what is needed for energy release. The other necessity is oxygen.
What this means is that a battery is like a stick of dynamite. Get it started under the right conditions and it combusts with no additional ingredients needed, and this combustion is much more difficult to extinguish than a petroleum fuel fire.
Small batteries are great and not inherently that dangerous, but large ones, especially ones with high energy density, are worrisome.
“A new strategy for all-solid-state lithium batteries enhances energy density and extends lifespan by using a special material that removes the need for additional additives.”
cool! ... oh wait, commercial all-solid-state lithium batteries don’t exist yet ...
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