The cycle life of batteries, particularly Li-ion batteries, is determined by the local disorder in the oxide cathode material, according to a study led by TU Delft. This local disorder increases the number of times Li-ion batteries can be charged and discharged. The unstable atomic structure of layered oxides used as electrodes in these batteries becomes a problem when the battery is being charged, ultimately affecting the battery’s cycle life. To address this issue, the research team introduced chemical short-range disorder into the cathode material through an improved synthesis method, resulting in increased stability during battery use.
The improved structural stability nearly doubled the battery’s capacity retention after 200 charging/discharging cycles. Additionally, the chemical short-range disorder increased charge transfer in the electrode, leading to shorter charging times. The team demonstrated these advantages for popular commercial cathodes such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC811). These improvements could potentially pave the way for a new generation of Li-ion batteries with lower manufacturing costs and a smaller CO2 footprint per unit of energy stored over its lifetime.
The research findings hold promise for the development of Li-ion batteries using materials that are less scarce than the currently used cobalt and nickel. Both cobalt and nickel are considered critical materials for energy technologies, and reducing their use in batteries would be beneficial. The team plans to further investigate whether the material design principles used in this study can be applied to build cathodes from raw materials that are less scarce. By doing so, they hope to contribute to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly battery technologies.
As rechargeable batteries play a crucial role in the energy transition, especially with the increasing availability of renewable energy sources, improving their cycle life and efficiency is essential. The research conducted by the ‘Storage of Electrochemical Energy’ group at TU Delft sheds light on a promising approach to enhancing the performance of Li-ion batteries through the introduction of local disorder in the cathode material. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in battery technology and contribute to a more sustainable energy storage system.
The study published in Nature underscores the importance of material design in optimizing battery performance and efficiency. By strategically introducing chemical short-range disorder into the cathode material, the research team was able to achieve remarkable improvements in both the capacity retention and charging times of Li-ion batteries. These findings have the potential to revolutionize the battery industry and pave the way for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions that can support the growing demand for renewable energy sources. By focusing on improving the stability and charge transfer capabilities of electrodes, researchers are opening up new possibilities for enhancing the overall performance of rechargeable batteries.
