Researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and the Tianmu Lake Institute of Advanced Energy Storage have developed a groundbreaking lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery that remains operational even after being folded or cut in half.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries, widely used in smartphones, toys, and electric vehicles, have notable safety concerns. When structurally damaged, these batteries can overheat or catch fire. Additionally, they have a relatively short lifespan, leading scientists to search for safer, longer-lasting alternatives.
The newly developed Li-S battery utilizes a combination of a metal sulfide cathode, a prelithiated graphite anode, and a carbonate-based electrolyte. This innovative design aims to enhance safety and stability. Key to its functionality is a chelating-type binder and a polyacrylic acid (PAA) coating on the cathode, which stabilize the battery’s chemistry and prevent capacity degradation over extended use.
During testing, the prototype battery demonstrated remarkable resilience. It maintained its functionality even when folded in half or cut, albeit with reduced energy capacity after being cut. The iron sulfide cathode’s robust design, enhanced with a flexible binder, ensures that the conductive network remains intact despite physical damage.
Liping Wang, a professor involved in the study, highlighted the challenges that previously prevented the widespread adoption of Li-S batteries. Issues like short cycling life and low-rate performance had been major obstacles. However, the addition of a carbonate-based electrolyte and the PAA layer has significantly improved the battery’s performance, retaining its capacity after numerous charge-discharge cycles.
The researchers conducted rigorous testing on both pouch and coin cell prototypes, discovering that the pouch cells maintained mechanical integrity and lower resistance, contributing to better performance. The coin cells retained 72% of their original capacity after 300 cycles.
While the current focus is on lithium-sulfur batteries, the team is exploring the feasibility of applying their technology to lithium-molybdenum and lithium-vanadium batteries, which could be advantageous in applications requiring high energy density and durability.
These findings have been published in the journal ACS Energy Letters. The continued development of this technology could mark a significant advancement in battery safety and efficiency, addressing key limitations of existing lithium-ion batteries.