Control of surface crystal structure changes and battery lifespan characteristics influenced by interfacial stability (POSTECH)
Great news for anyone who relies on devices powered by lithium batteries, in other words, great news for just about everyone. POSTECH researchers, led by Professor Jihyun Hong (Department of Battery Engineering, Graduate Institute of Ferrous & Eco Materials Technology) and Dr. Gukhyun Lim, have developed a new method to improve the durability of lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO), a promising cathode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. This advancement significantly increases battery lifespan and is published in the leading energy journal Energy & Environmental Science.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a type of rechargeable battery widely used in various applications, from portable electronics like smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. LIBs use lithium ions to move between the negative electrode (anode) and the positive electrode (cathode) through an electrolyte. During discharge, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode, creating an electric current. When charging, the process is reversed.
LIBs are expected to continue to play a crucial role in the transition to a cleaner energy future, powering electric vehicles, storing renewable energy, and enabling various other applications. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving their performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
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The lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) material offers up to 20% higher energy density than conventional nickel-based cathodes by reducing the nickel and cobalt content while increasing the lithium and manganese composition. As a more economical and sustainable alternative, LLO has garnered significant attention. However, challenges such as capacity fading and voltage decay during charge-discharge cycles have hindered its commercial viability.
While previous studies have identified structural changes in the cathode during cycling as the cause of these issues, the exact reasons behind the instability have remained largely unclear. Additionally, existing strategies aimed at enhancing the structural stability of LLO have failed to resolve the root cause, hindering commercialization.
The POSTECH team’s research centered on the destabilizing effect of oxygen release on the LLO structure during battery cycling. They theorized that enhancing the chemical stability of the cathode-electrolyte interface could suppress this oxygen release. By modifying the electrolyte composition to strengthen this interface, they successfully achieved a substantial reduction in oxygen emissions.
The research team’s enhanced electrolyte maintained an impressive energy retention rate of 84.3% even after 700 charge-discharge cycles, a significant improvement over conventional electrolytes, which only achieved an average of 37.1% energy retention after 300 cycles.
The research also revealed that structural changes on the surface of the LLO material had a significant impact on the overall stability of the material. By addressing these changes, the team was able to dramatically improve the lifespan and performance of the cathode while also minimizing unwanted reactions like electrolyte decomposition inside the battery.
“Using synchrotron radiation, we were able to analyze the chemical and structural differences between the surface and interior of the cathode particles, “commented Professor Jihyun Hong. “This revealed that the stability of the cathode surface is crucial for the overall structural integrity of the material and its performance. We believe this research will provide new directions for developing next-generation cathode materials.”
