Lithium-carbon dioxide prototype batteries can match the cycle life of lithium-ion after scientists at a US university developed a method of preventing the traditional failure modes of the technology.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) say their prototype has achieved 500 consecutive charge/recharge cycles.
Their findings were published in the journal Advanced Materials.
To date the technology has suffered from early failure because, while the lithium carbonate recycles during the charge phase, the carbon accumulates on the catalyst during discharge.
The team used molybdenum disulfide as a cathode catalyst combined with a hybrid electrolyte to encourage the thorough recycling of both lithium carbonate and carbon.
Alireza Ahmadiparidari, first author of the paper and a UIC College of Engineering graduate, said: “The accumulation of carbon not only blocks the active sites of the catalyst and prevents carbon dioxide diffusion, but also triggers electrolyte decomposition in a charged state.”
The technology has a theoretical specific energy density more than seven times greater than commonly used lithium-ion batteries.
Amin Salehi-Khojin (pictured), associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at UIC’s College of Engineering, said lithium-carbon dioxide batteries had been attractive for a long time, but in practice a truly efficient battery had not been made until now.
The combination of materials developed by the scientists’ produces a single multi-component composite of products rather than separate products, making recycling more efficient, a UIC statement said.
Salehi-Khojin said: “Our unique combination of materials helps make the first carbon-neutral lithium carbon dioxide battery with much more efficiency and long-lasting cycle life, which will enable it to be used in advanced energy storage systems.”
Theoretical calculations performed by Dr. Larry Curtiss’ group at Argonne National Laboratory were used to deduce a mechanism for the reversible operation of the battery.
