Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in addressing a major challenge associated with electric vehicles: residual lithium in batteries. A recent study provides crucial insights into the accumulation of this residual lithium, which is essential for advancing battery technology, according to Tech Xplore.
Published in the *Journal of Materials Chemistry A*, the research was conducted by a team from the Korea Institute of Energy Research. They focused on the persistent issue of residual lithium, which builds up in batteries using high-nickel cathode materials, negatively impacting their performance. High-nickel cathodes are vital for enhancing battery performance and increasing the driving range of electric vehicles. However, the high nickel content leads to excessive lithium compound accumulation on the internal surfaces of the cathode, resulting in gelation—a process where the residual material hardens into a gel-like substance, severely diminishing battery performance and efficacy.
Previous methods to combat gelation included washing cathode surfaces with distilled water and employing external coating techniques. Unfortunately, these approaches have failed to prevent long-term battery degradation, causing concern among advocates for electrification, especially in the electric vehicle sector. Tech Xplore emphasized the urgent need for solutions that ensure stable manufacturing processes and reliable battery performance.
The innovation in this study lies in the researchers’ approach; they not only examined the surfaces of the cathodes but also investigated their internal structure. They discovered that residual lithium was also present within the internal cathode particles. “This finding revealed that the overlooked internal structure of the cathode plays a critical role in battery performance degradation and reduced lifespan,” Tech Xplore noted.
With this newfound understanding, the research team developed an alternative materials design that employs single-crystal structured high-nickel cathode materials, effectively reducing the accumulation of residual lithium within the cathode itself. By utilizing these new crystal structures, the study successfully decreased residual lithium levels by up to 54% compared to conventional designs. This advancement represents a significant step toward achieving the target threshold for residual lithium in commercially available batteries.
Research team leaders Drs. Wooyoung Jin and Hyungyeon Cha stated, “This study marks the first in-depth analysis to move beyond surface-level approaches and examine residual lithium issues within the internal structure of cathode particles. It represents a critical turning point in understanding the structural stability and performance degradation mechanisms of high-Ni cathodes. We believe these insights, when applied to cathode material design and processing, will play a significant role in advancing the development and commercialization of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.”
This exciting development holds promise for current and future electric vehicle owners, enabling them to achieve longer battery ranges with more powerful batteries. As a result, drivers will be able to travel further and save money with less frequent charging.
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