A significant breakthrough was achieved in April 2023 by researchers who have developed rechargeable lithium batteries in a pouch format. These batteries have achieved an exceptional energy density surpassing 700 Wh/kg, setting a new record in the field.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries face a challenge in achieving an energy density of 300 Wh per kilogram. This limitation hinders the development of electric vehicles with sufficient range and power-to-weight ratio for various applications.
But, as per the BIS Research report, the lithium-ion battery metals market was valued at $14.53 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $286.08 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 34.00% between 2022 and 2031.
A recent publication in Chinese Physics Letters features a team of researchers from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, namely Quan Li, Yang Yang, Xiqian Yu, and Hong Li. This article highlights the successful creation of practical pouch-type rechargeable lithium batteries.
Here’s the Complete Information
The research team in China has accomplished this 711 kWh/kg capacity rechargeable lithium battery by utilizing an ultra-thick high discharge capacity cathode, which demonstrated a capacity area surpassing 10 mAh/cm2 in conjunction with a lithium metal anode.
The innovative design incorporates a lithium-rich manganese-based cathode with a high capacity and a chemical composition of Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 along with a thin lithium metal anode that possesses high specific energy.
As explained by Quan Li, “The anode electrode employs ultrathin metal lithium incorporated using a separator coating technique, which addresses the annoying issue of reversible deposition of ultrathin lithium of large surface capacity.”
This advancement holds great promise for various applications, including electric aviation, where batteries with significantly higher energy density are required compared to the currently available options. Further development of this technology could lead to transformative advancements in the field of energy storage.
Beneficiary Key Points of 711 kWh/kg Lithium Battery
Lithium-ion batteries play a vital role in achieving climate neutrality objectives as they are crucial for various applications. They are progressively utilized to power electric vehicles and serve as essential components in residential devices for storing renewable energy. To accomplish a completely carbon-free economy, superior battery performance beyond the capabilities of current lithium-ion technology will be necessary.
Over time, there have been notable advancements in this technology. Initially introduced by Sony in 1991, the energy density of lithium-ion batteries has substantially improved, rising from 80 Wh/kg to approximately 300 Wh/kg. In the case of electric vehicles, it is crucial for batteries to be compact and lightweight. To meet this requirement, energy densities exceeding 400 Wh/kg are necessary.
However, the current challenge lies in the fact that most lithium-ion batteries used today employ intercalation-type cathodes (such as LiFePO4, LiCoO2, or LiNixMnyCozO2, and graphite-based anodes.
But the battery developed by China exhibits a notable advantage with its lithium-rich manganese-based oxides that enable a higher lithium-ion storage capacity due to the battery's elevated charge-discharge voltage.
Conclusion
The introduction of the groundbreaking 711 kWh/kg lithium battery holds great potential for enhancing the performance of long-range electric vehicles and electric aviation, which require batteries with exceptional energy density. Furthermore, this research has the potential to address certain challenges inherent to battery technology, thus paving the way for further advancements in the field.
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