A team of scientists working out of the US Army Research Laboratory and the University of Maryland have for the first time developed a lithium-ion battery that doesn’t come with the associated risks of fire or explosion – as some commercially available lithium-ion batteries currently have.
A water-salt solution was used as the electrolyte, reaching the 4.0 volt mark needed for electronics like laptop computers. A new gel polymer electrolyte coating was designed that can be applied to either the lithium or graphite anode. This then expels water molecules from around the electrode surface. Upon charging, this decomposes and the result is a stable interphase that protects the anode from side reactions.
Co-author of the project Dr Kang Xu said: “In the past, if you wanted high energy, you would choose a non-aqueous lithium-ion battery, but you would have to compromise on safety. If you preferred safety, you could use an aqueous battery such as nickel/metal hydride, but you would have to settle for lower energy. Now, we are showing that you can simultaneously have access to both high energy and high safety.”
Similarly, Echion Technologies – which is part of the University of Cambridge – has also been looking into how lithium-ion battery technology can be commercialised. The group was recently awarded second place in the Energy and Environment category at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition – which came with a £10,000 prize pot – to help it further its work.
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