By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
ETH Zurich Develops Innovative, Sustainable Lithium Metal Batteries
Researchers at ETH Zurich have pioneered a new method for producing more powerful and environmentally friendly lithium metal batteries. This novel approach significantly reduces the amount of fluorine required, enhancing the batteries' stability, cost effectiveness, and longevity.
Lithium metal batteries are poised to revolutionize green technologies, particularly in electric vehicles . They offer at least twice the energy storage per unit volume compared to lithium ion batteries, which means EVs could potentially travel twice as far on a single charge and require less frequent recharging. However, the technology still faces significant challenges.
Challenges of Lithium Metal Batteries
One of the main drawbacks of lithium metal batteries is their reliance on liquid electrolytes containing substantial amounts of fluorinated solvents and salts, which pose environmental risks. Fluorine free batteries would suffer from instability, reduced lifespan, and increased risk of short circuits, overheating, and fires. Fluorinated compounds in the electrolyte form a protective layer around the metallic lithium at the negative electrode, similar to tooth enamel, which prevents continuous reactions with electrolyte components. Without this layer, the electrolyte would deplete quickly, leading to cell failure and the formation of lithium dendrites during recharging. These dendrites can cause short circuits if they contact the positive electrode, leading to potential overheating and ignition. Hence, managing this protective layer is crucial for improving battery efficiency, safety, and lifespan.
Reducing Fluorine Use
The ETH Zurich team’s new method leverages electrostatic attraction to facilitate the reaction. Electrically charged fluorinated molecules transport fluorine to the protective layer, requiring only 0.1% by weight of fluorine in the liquid electrolyte at least 20 times less than in previous studies. This method can be seamlessly integrated into traditional battery production processes without incurring additional costs for modifying production setups.
The researchers are currently working on testing the method’s scalability and applying it to pouch cells used in smartphones.
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