Engineers Uncover Solution to Extend Lifespan of Lithium Nickel Oxide Batteries

Engineers Discover Key Barrier to Longer-Lasting Batteries

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have identified a crucial reason why lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) batteries tend to degrade after repeated charging. This breakthrough could pave the way for the wider adoption of LiNiO2 in next-generation, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.

Despite its potential, the commercialization of LiNiO2 has faced challenges due to its tendency to break down with repeated use. The findings of the research team were published online on December 10 in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. Their work aims to create a solution that addresses the degradation issue, which has persisted for decades without a clear understanding of its causes.

Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, a professor of materials science and engineering and director of the Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) program at UTD, stated, “Now that we have a clear understanding of why this happens, we’re working on a solution so the technology can be used to provide longer battery life in a range of products including phones and electric vehicles.”

This research is part of UTD’s BEACONS initiative, which was launched in 2023 with a $30 million investment from the Department of Defense. The initiative’s goals include developing new battery technologies, enhancing the domestic supply of critical raw materials, and training skilled workers for the expanding battery-energy storage sector.

To investigate the breakdown of LiNiO2 batteries, UTD researchers utilized computational modeling to analyze the charging process, focusing on chemical reactions and the redistribution of electrons at the atomic level. In lithium-ion batteries, electrical current flows from a positive electrode, known as the cathode, to a negative electrode, or anode. Typically, the anode is made of carbon graphite, which retains lithium at a higher potential. During discharge, lithium ions return to the cathode through the electrolyte, generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction.

The research team discovered that a chemical reaction involving oxygen atoms in LiNiO2 leads to instability and cracking in the material. To mitigate this issue, they proposed a theoretical solution that involves enhancing the material’s structure by incorporating a positively charged ion, or cation, which creates “pillars” that strengthen the cathode.

Matthew Bergschneider, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering and the study’s first author, is currently establishing a robotics-based lab to create battery prototypes. This lab will focus on high-throughput synthesis processes for the newly designed pillared LiNiO2 cathodes. “We’ll make a small amount at first and refine the process,” Bergschneider explained. “Then, we will scale up the material synthesis and manufacture hundreds of batteries per week at the BEACONS facility. These are all stepping stones to commercialization.”

Additional researchers involved in the study include Fantai Kong, Patrick Conlin, Dr. Taesoon Hwang, and Dr. Seok-Gwang Doo from the Korea Institute of Energy Technology.

Article Details

• Journal: Advanced Energy Materials
• Publication Date: December 10, 2024
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202403837
• Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Kim Horner
University of Texas at Dallas
kim.horner@utdallas.edu
Office: 972-883-4463