US researchers develop new layered materials for rechargeable lithium batteries

Scientists at the US Department of Energys Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new approach to increasing the capacity and stability of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Washington, May 8 : Scientists at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new approach to increasing the capacity and stability of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

An active component that provides for charge storage is embedded in an inactive component that stabilizes the structure.

The positive electrode is comprised of a unique nano-crystalline, layered-composite structure.

In recent tests, the new material yielded exceptionally high charge-storage capacities, greater than 250 mAh/g, or more than twice the capacity of materials in conventional rechargeable lithium batteries.

In addition, by focusing on manganese-rich systems, instead of the more expensive cobalt and nickel versions of lithium batteries, overall battery cost is also reduced, said researchers.

According to the scientists, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which would incorporate the new materials, can be used in a diverse range of applications, ranging from consumer electronics such as cell phones and laptop computers, to cordless tools and medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.

In larger batteries, the technology could be used in the next generation of hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric, they said.

Theories explaining the high capacity of these manganese-rich electrodes and their stability upon charge/discharge cycling will be discussed at the 211th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society, Chicago, on May 8.

ANI