This work was just recently released in the journal Advanced Science.Challenges with Silicon as a Battery MaterialEmploying silicon as a battery product provides challenges: It expands by more than three times throughout charging and then agreements back to its original size while discharging, significantly impacting battery performance. The growth issue of the larger silicon particles ends up being more noticable throughout battery operation, positioning restrictions for its usage as an anode material.Innovations in Gel Polymer ElectrolytesThe research study team used gel polymer electrolytes to establish an affordable yet steady silicon-based battery system. These covalent linkages serve to disperse internal tension triggered by volume expansion throughout lithium-ion battery operation, relieving the modifications in micro silicon volume and enhancing structural stability.The result was impressive: The battery showed steady efficiency even with micro silicon particles (5μm), which were a hundred times larger than those used in conventional nano-silicon anodes.
Researchers at POSTECH have developed a development lithium-ion battery with micro silicon particles and gel polymer electrolytes, significantly improving energy density and stability. This innovation addresses silicons growth issues and could cause electrical cars with longer battery life and efficiency.At the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the spotlight was on groundbreaking advancements in AI and health care. Battery technology is the game-changer at the heart of these developments, enabling greater power efficiency. Significantly, electrical vehicles are where this technology is being used most intensely.Todays EVs can travel around 700km on a single charge, while researchers are going for a 1,000 km battery variety. Researchers are fervently checking out using silicon, understood for its high storage capability, as the anode product in lithium-ion batteries for EVs. Regardless of its potential, bringing silicon into useful usage stays a puzzle that scientists are still working hard to piece together.Breakthrough in Silicon-based Battery TechnologyEnter Professor Soojin Park, PhD candidate Minjun Je, and Dr. Hye Bin Son from the Department of Chemistry at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). They have broken the code, establishing a pocket-friendly and rock-solid next-generation high-energy-density Li-ion battery system utilizing micro silicon particles and gel polymer electrolytes. This work was recently published in the journal Advanced Science.Challenges with Silicon as a Battery MaterialEmploying silicon as a battery material provides difficulties: It expands by more than three times throughout charging and then contracts back to its initial size while discharging, significantly affecting battery performance. Making use of nano-sized silicon (10-9m) partially deals with the concern, but the sophisticated production process is astronomically costly and complicated, making it a tough budget plan proposition.Covalent linkage development between micro-silicon and gel electrolyte through an electron beam process. Credit: POSTECHBy contrast, micro-sized silicon (10-6m) is magnificently practical in regards to cost and energy density. The expansion problem of the bigger silicon particles ends up being more noticable during battery operation, posing limitations for its use as an anode material.Innovations in Gel Polymer ElectrolytesThe research team applied gel polymer electrolytes to establish a cost-effective yet steady silicon-based battery system. The electrolyte within a lithium-ion battery is an essential element, facilitating the movement of ions in between the cathode and anode. Unlike conventional liquid electrolytes, gel electrolytes exist in a solid or gel state, characterized by a flexible polymer structure that has better stability than their liquid equivalents do.Enhancing Battery Performance with Micro SiliconThe research study group used an electron beam to form covalent linkages between micro-silicon particles and gel electrolytes. These covalent linkages serve to distribute internal tension brought on by volume growth during lithium-ion battery operation, easing the modifications in micro silicon volume and boosting structural stability.The outcome was exceptional: The battery showed stable efficiency even with micro silicon particles (5μm), which were a hundred times bigger than those used in conventional nano-silicon anodes. In addition, the silicon-gel electrolyte system established by the research study group showed ion conductivity similar to conventional batteries utilizing liquid electrolytes, with an approximate 40% enhancement in energy density. The teams system holds significant worth due to its uncomplicated production procedure that is all set for instant application.Professor Soojin Park stressed: “We utilized a micro-silicon anode, yet, we have a steady battery. This research brings us closer to a real high-energy-density lithium-ion battery system.”Reference: “Formulating Electron Beam-Induced Covalent Linkages for Stable and High-Energy-Density Silicon Microparticle Anode” by Minjun Je, Hye Bin Son, Yu-Jin Han, Hangeol Jang, Sungho Kim, Dongjoo kim, Jieun Kang, Jin-Hyeok Jeong, Chihyun Hwang, Gyujin Song, Hyun-Kon Song, Tae Sung Ha and Soojin Park, 17 January 2024, Advanced Science.DOI: 10.1002/ advs.202305298 This research study was conducted with the support from the Independent Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea.