Summary
- Argonne National Laboratory develops new dual-gradient design for lithium-ion batteries
- Design increases energy storage capacity, stability, and lifespan while reducing costs
- Material features disordered surface and ordered core for optimized performance
- Material is structurally and chemically stable during high-voltage operation
- Design enhances storage capacity, stability, heat tolerance, and longevity of batteries
Article
The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new design for lithium-ion batteries that aims to improve performance and reduce costs. This new “dual-gradient” design for the battery’s cathode is said to increase energy storage capacity, stability, and lifespan while also reducing costs. Researchers at Argonne had previously developed a nickel-manganese-cobalt cathode material in 2012 to increase energy density and durability, and are now exploring ways to further improve it.
One of the main challenges with high-voltage operation in lithium-ion batteries is the tendency for cathode particles with layered, ordered structures to crack and react more with the battery’s electrolyte, leading to degradation. To address this issue, the Argonne team fabricated cathode particles with a dual-gradient design, where the structure gradually transitions from disordered material on the surface to ordered, layered material in the core. This design helps suppress cracking and reactivity on the surface while maximizing ion transport in the core, potentially leading to high capacity and stability at high voltages.
The team conducted a series of experiments using X-ray, electron, and imaging techniques to characterize the new cathode material at rest and during operation. These tests assessed the material at the cathode, particle, and atomic levels, confirming that the particles remained structurally and chemically stable during high-voltage operation. The dual-gradient particles displayed greater durability compared to the original Argonne design, only losing about 2% of their storage capacity after 500 charge-discharge cycles.
According to the researchers, this breakthrough material represents an improvement across the board for batteries, offering higher storage capacity, robust stability, heat tolerance at high voltages, and longer lifetimes. The high energy density of this new cathode material enables the production of smaller, lower-cost batteries, which could support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and grid batteries. Argonne’s patented design and fabrication process are now ready to be licensed by industry for further development and implementation.
Overall, the development of the dual-gradient cathode particles by Argonne National Laboratory represents a significant advancement in the field of lithium-ion batteries. By addressing the challenges associated with high-voltage operation and improving energy storage capacity, stability, and durability, this new design has the potential to drive down costs and increase the adoption of electric vehicles and grid batteries. With further development and potential industry partnerships, this breakthrough material could pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective battery technologies in the future.
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