Unlocking the Power of Lithium Ion Batteries with a Three-Dimensional Polymeric Structure

Saturday - June 1 2024, 02:24 UTC - 5 months ago

Researchers at POSTECH and KIER have developed a three-dimensional polymeric structure that significantly enhances lithium ion transport and battery performance. The structure is lightweight and has a high affinity for lithium ions, showing great potential for commercialization. Experiments have demonstrated high stability and an energy density of 344 Wh/kg, highlighting the technology's potential for industrial use.

A new three-dimensional polymeric structure has been developed by researchers at POSTECH and KIER, showing great promise for enhancing lithium ion transport and battery performance. This structure, recently published in the online edition of Advanced Science, is significantly lighter and more efficient than previous three-dimensional structures, making it a strong contender for commercialization in the near future.

As technology continues to advance, the demand for high-performance batteries in electronic devices such as electric vehicles and smartphones has also increased. Lithium metal anodes, in particular, have gained attention for their high energy capacity, which is more than ten times that of currently commercialized graphite anodes. However, the uneven distribution of lithium ions during the charging and discharging process can lead to areas of dead lithium, reducing the battery's capacity and performance. Additionally, lithium growth in one direction can cause an internal short circuit, limiting the battery's lifespan.

To overcome these challenges, the research team at POSTECH and KIER developed a hybrid porous structure using polyvinyl alcohol, a lightweight polymer known for its high affinity for lithium ions. This polymer was combined with single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanocarbon spheres, creating a three-dimensional structure that is over five times lighter than the copper collectors typically used in battery anodes. The team's structure also has a high affinity for lithium ions, allowing for their uniform migration through the pores, improving the battery's performance and stability.

In experiments, lithium metal anode batteries incorporating the new three-dimensional structure demonstrated high stability after over 200 charge-discharge cycles, with an impressive energy density of 344 Wh/kg. These experiments were also conducted using pouch cells, which are representative of actual industrial applications, showcasing the technology's potential for commercialization.

Professor Soojin Park of POSTECH shared the significance of the research, stating that this new structure opens up new possibilities for 3D structures designed to promote lithium transport and demonstrates the great potential for high-performance batteries using lightweight polymers.