Subscribe to CleanTechnica’s daily newsletter for the latest news, or follow us on Google News!
The Evolution of Electric Vehicle Batteries: Discovering Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries have undergone significant advancements since the 1990s, notably marked by General Motors’ launch of the EV1 sedan powered by lead-acid batteries. However, additional advancements are essential for phasing out traditional gasoline vehicles from modern roads. Recent research indicates that a promising new material—lithium-rich layered oxide—could be key to achieving this goal.
Enhancements Through Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide
This innovative lithium-rich layered oxide is garnering attention across research communities for its potential to usher in superior improvements in EV battery technology while also reducing costs. By substituting part of the nickel and cobalt found in conventional cathodes with lithium and manganese, these materials can significantly increase energy density.
The changes may result in an energy density boost of up to 20% over traditional nickel-containing cathodes. Additionally, this method alleviates supply chain complications associated with sourcing current cathode materials.
A recent study highlights lithium-rich layered oxide as a leading candidate for future high-energy-density lithium-ion battery cathodes thanks to its impressive discharge capacity; however, challenges remain related to uneven composition and voltage decay during battery use.
Tackling Durability with Innovative Electrolytes
Researchers have made notable strides recently at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) in South Korea, where they reported advances enhancing the durability of these lithium-rich layered oxides by optimizing electrolyte formulations.
The team’s modified electrolyte showed remarkable results: maintaining an energy retention rate of 84.3% after 700 cycles compared to just 37.1% observed with standard electrolytes after only 300 cycles—a remarkable leap forward as explained by POSTECH representatives.
This breakthrough is detailed further in the journal Energy & Environmental Science under a study titled “Decoupling capacity fade and voltage decay of Li-rich Mn-rich cathodes through tailored surface reconstruction pathways.” The study notes that removing polar ethylene carbonate from electrolytes curbs irreversible oxygen loss at the interface between electrode and electrolyte.
American Research Pursuits: Department Of Energy Initiatives
The U.S Department of Energy has been actively working towards stabilizing lithium-rich oxides aimed at various applications including EV batteries, spearheaded by institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory.
They focus on low-cobalt lithium metal oxide electrodes which demonstrate higher stability levels while utilizing more economical manganese instead of cobalt or nickel—an important move considering manganese’s cost-effectiveness compared to other elements used traditionally.
Argonne has announced their collaboration efforts across the department’s labs aiming at creating NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cathodes that utilize reduced amounts of cobalt without sacrificing performance characteristics; their recent publication titled “Ultrastable Cathodes Enabled by Compositional And Structural Dual-Gradient Design” outlines designs capable of sustaining heightened voltage without fading capacity under stress conditions like cycling temperature changes or prolonged usage periods.
Diverse Strategies Towards Cost-effective EV Batteries
No longer content merely innovating within design parameters alone; several automakers—including General Motors—are investigating myriad methodologies targeted at reducing overall manufacturing costs involving NMC batteries.To accomplish this efficiently recent approaches propose decreasing physical size while not compromising efficiency appropriate mobility scenarios where higher density output may be required supplementing smaller subsystems less demanding load fulfillment alternatives via using LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistries throughout day-to-day activities.
Industry analysts must note though this dual approach introduces complexities stemming from varying charge cycle requirements presenting unforeseen difficulties when integrating into user-friendly models designed effectively paving pathways towards greater adoption rates moving forward should issues concerning operational consistency arise threats likely will emerge burgeoning swapping industry kiosks able facilitate transactions allowing drivers seamless experience exchanging depleted cells rapid turnaround without waiting duration hindering performances measures.
