Posted on 08/26/2024 6:24:05 PM PDT by Red Badger
Innovations in manganese-based lithium-ion batteries could lead to more efficient and durable power sources for electric vehicles, offering high energy density and stable performance without voltage decay.
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Researchers have developed a sustainable lithium-ion battery using manganese, which could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.
Published in ACS Central Science, the study highlights a breakthrough in using nanostructured LiMnO2 with monoclinic symmetry to improve battery performance and stability without the typical voltage decay. This innovation not only enhances fast-charging capabilities but also addresses the long-standing issue of manganese dissolution.
Manganese-Based Li-ion Batteries Lithium-ion (or Li-ion) batteries are heavy hitters when it comes to the world of rechargeable batteries. As electric vehicles become more common in the world, a high-energy, low-cost battery utilizing the abundance of manganese (Mn) can be a sustainable option to become commercially available and utilized in the automobile industry.
Currently, batteries used for powering electric vehicles (EVs) are nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co)-based, which can be expensive and unsustainable for a society with a growing desire for EVs. By switching the positive electrode materials to a lithium/manganese-based material, researchers aim to maintain the high performance of Ni/Co-based materials but with a low-cost, sustainable twist.
Researchers will publish their results today (August 26) in ACS Central Science.
Innovations in Electrode Materials Li-ion batteries are not new players in the field of rechargeable electronics, but there are always ways to innovate and improve already reliable methods. LiMnO2 as an electrode material has been studied in the past but has always been limited by restrictive electrode performance.
“Through the systematic study on different LiMnO2 polymorphs, it is found that the monoclinic layered domain effectively activates structural transition to the spinel-like phase. From this finding, nanostructured LiMnO2 with the monoclinic layered domain structures and high surface area has been directly synthesized by using a simple solid-state reaction,” said Naoaki Yabuuchi, author and researcher of the study.
Breakthrough in Monoclinic LiMnO2 Structures A monoclinic system refers to the type of group symmetry of a solid crystalline structure. A Li/Mn arrangement with the monoclinic symmetry appears to be key in making LiMnO2 a feasible option for a positive electrode material. Without the structural phase transition the monoclinic domain allows, electrode performance would be limited thanks to the sub-optimal crystalline structure of LiMnO2 and accompanying phase transitions.
Enhancing EV Battery Performance After observing and testing the various polymorphs, it was determined the needed structure can be synthesized directly from two components without having to use an intermediary step. The resulting material is competitive with nickel based layered materials and boasts excellent fast-charging abilities, which is indispensable for electric vehicles.
The nanostructured LiMnO2 with the monoclinic layered domain is synthesized by a simple calcination process to yield a product with high-energy density, reaching 820 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh kg-1), compared to about 750 Wh kg-1 for nickel-based layered materials and 500 Wh kg-1 for other low-cost lithium-based materials.
Stability and Longevity of Nanostructured LiMnO2 There is also no reported voltage decay using nanostructured LiMnO2, which is common in manganese-based materials. Voltage decay is a phenomenon in which the voltage decreases gradually, over time reducing the performance and responsiveness of an electronic. However, it does not seem to be an observable issue in the case of nanostructured LiMnO2, which is the subject of the study.
Addressing Practical Challenges Though there are promising results, a practical issue can be observed: the dissolution of manganese. Over time, manganese can dissolve due to many factors, such as phase changes or reacting with acidic solutions. Fortunately, this can be curbed or completely mitigated by the use of a highly concentrated electrolyte solution and a lithium phosphate coating.
Researchers hope their findings contribute to a more sustainable energy source than fossil fuels, especially concerning electric vehicles. The performance of LiMnO2, with its competitive energy density compared to nickel-based materials, demonstrates the potential alternative materials can have to produce environmentally friendly products that are sustainable both in production and as a long-term investment. An ideal future for nanostructured LiMnO2-based electrode materials would involve commercialization and industrial production in the luxury electric vehicle industry.
Reference:
“A Practical and Sustainable Ni/Co-free High-Energy Electrode Material: Nanostructured LiMnO2” 26 August 2024, ACS Central Science.
DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00578
Yuka Miyaoka, Yuna Oguro, Yosuke Ugata and Naoaki Yabuuchi of the Department of Chemistry and Life Science at Yokohama National University with Yosuke Ugata and Naoaki Yabuuchi also of the Advanced Chemical Energy Research Center at Yokohama National Univeristy, Takahito Sato of the Department of Applied Chemistry at Tokyo Denki University, Sayaka Kondo, Koki Nakano and Masanobu Nakayama of the Frontier Research Institute for Materials Science at Nagoya Institute of Technology, Damian Goonetilleke and Neeraj Sharma of the School of Chemistry at the University of New South Wales, Alexey M. Glushenkov of the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University, Satoshi Hiroi and Koji Ohara of the Faculty of Materials for Energy at Shimane University, Koji Takada and Yasuhiro Fujii of the Tosoh Corporation contributed to this research.
JSPS, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, JST, MEXT Program: Data Creation and Utilization-Type Material Research and Development Project, JST Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE), JST The Green Technologies for Excellence (GteX) Program, the Australian Research Council, the Photon Factory Program Advisory Committee, the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), the Aichi Synchrotron Radiation center, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) made this research possible.
And a third of the world manganese comes from South Africa. Might be good to know a guy from there...
The headline says “set to transform.” By the first paragraph that pronouncement has devolved to “could lead to.” Typical overhype. So predictable. Wake me up when the first article to include one of these things appears: $.
Without a verifiable cost analysis, it might as we be a politician’s promise.
The GGE of gasoline is about 114,00 BTU’s.
The GGE of electricity is 3,400 BTU’s.
Bigger question; it there enough manganese anywhere on the planet to make this useful, or is this a specialty solution?
Researchers have developed a sustainable …Stopped reading at that word.
But but...just four days ago we were told silver prices were going to skyrocket because of Samsungs new SS car battery.
Competition is fierce in the battery research sector because of EVs.
Billions of dollars are at stake for the winner.................
Manganese is the tenth most common element in the earth’s crust.
lithium iron phosphate ................
Makes great powersports starting batteries. Durable and far less fire danger from impact. Also more tolerant of over discharge.
i lost count of the “coulds” in the article ...
I have looked under the hoods of some new cars lately and their batteries are way smaller than they used to be...I wonder if the mfrs are using these new batteries instead of lead acid?.........
My mind was confused between Manganese and Magnesium. Having seen the results of both a Li-ion battery fire and a magnesium fire, my first thought was if you mixed the two you could have the most devastating fire imaginable!
But it's manganese, not magnesium, I reasoned. False alarm, says I.
But wait --- it turns out manganese can be extremely flammable, too!
Still, I'm no chemist. It could be inert and safe, far as I know.
...in ten years, right??
From BRAVE AI:
Manganese can be extremely flammable,
Based on the search results, manganese dust (finely divided) has been known to be pyrophoric, meaning it can spontaneously ignite in air. Additionally, manganese compounds and fumes can react violently or explosively on contact with water, generating hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard.
Firefighting Considerations
When fighting fires involving manganese, it is crucial to avoid using water, as it can exacerbate the situation by generating hydrogen gas. Instead, use dry sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers, or class D extinguishers. Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water. If possible, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire to prevent further ignition sources.
Handling and Storage
To minimize the risk of manganese fires, it is essential to handle and store manganese-containing materials in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and ignition sparks. Ensure that containers are tightly sealed and not damaged, and consider implementing explosion-proof equipment and ventilation systems.
Personal Protective Equipment
While there are no specific recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) for manganese exposure, it is still important to follow standard safety protocols when handling manganese-containing materials, including wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection as needed.
I can’t help but think that looks like a big frying pan.
It’s only a bad word because of how it’s often been used. However, it does have meaning still.
For example, the current growth of US debt is not sustainable.
Battery technology is under very heavy development.
They have come a very long way. We don’t see many electric golf carts these days. They are all battery.
Electric cars have a long way to go. But they will get there. When they get there, we will probably like it.
Plenty of stuff to go around. Perhaps they need to mine an asteroid or two.
Never thought we would see rockets that could land themselves. Elon has done wonders for the rocket industry.
Hopefully Boeing gets it together. We need 3-5 rocket companies not one.
look at how far cell phones have come. Each new phone as been far superior to the last. There was a reason that there were lines around the block every time a new Apple iPhone came out... and it wasn’t because they were ‘slowing the phones’. It because the new phones were that much better.
There are very smart people working on about 10,000 different ways to make batteries better. We still have to build in the infrastructure. We have to get enough power to power all these devices. We have to get the infrastructure in place to deliver all that power. When it gets there, it will be awesome. Then I might finally get one.
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