Re: Batteries & Energy Storage news and discussions
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:49 pm
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Argonne National labs has a new cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.
Johnson’s team invented a layered oxide cathode tailored for sodium-ion batteries. This variation on the NMC cathode is a sodium nickel-manganese-iron (NMF) oxide with a layered structure for efficient insertion and extraction of sodium. The absence of cobalt in the cathode formula mitigates cost, scarcity and toxicity concerns associated with that element.
A research team has successfully enhanced the performance and durability of all-solid-state batteries. This breakthrough was made possible through the implementation of a novel approach known as bottom electrodeposition. Their research has been published in Small.
Secondary batteries generally rely on liquid electrolytes when used in various applications, such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems. However, the flammability of liquid electrolytes poses a risk of fires. This prompts ongoing research efforts to explore the use of solid electrolytes and the metal lithium (Li) in all-solid-state batteries, offering a safer option.
In the operation of all-solid-state batteries, lithium is plated onto an anode, and the movement of electrons is harnessed to generate electricity.
During the charging and discharging process, lithium metal undergoes a cycle of losing electrons, transforming into an ion, regaining electrons, and being electrodeposited back into its metallic form. However, indiscriminate electrodeposition of lithium can quickly deplete the available lithium, leading to a significant reduction in the battery's performance and durability.
To address this issue, the research team collaborated with the POSCO N.EX.T Hub to develop an anode protection layer composed of a functional binder (PVA-g-PAA) for all-solid-state batteries. This layer exhibits exceptional lithium transfer properties, preventing random electrodeposition and promoting a process of 'bottom electrodeposition.' This ensures that lithium is uniformly deposited from the bottom of the anode surface.
A research team led by Prof. Chen Wei from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) revealed for the first time the important role of halogen-mediated solvation structure in the de-solvation process of multivalent ions. The research result was published in Joule.
The team managed to use manganese metal batteries (MnMBs) as the research platform to fully demonstrate the important role of halogen-mediated (with Cl as the main research object) mechanism in lowering the overpotential of the multivalent metal ions deposition and enhancing the Coulombic and the dissolution/deposition efficiencies.