Researchers at the University of Texas, Dallas have identified the root cause of lithium oxide (Linio₂) batteries decomposition. This breakthrough can unlock the potential of this promising material in long-term lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and other appliances.
This study, published in Advanced Energy Materials, reveals the reason despite its early discoveries in the 1950s and its subsequent recognition as a desirable cathode material, but due to the decomposition after repeated charge cycles, I’m struggling to commercialize it.
Maximize the possibilities of lithium-ion batteries
Linio emerged decades ago as an attractive alternative to traditional cathode materials. However, its widespread adoption is hampered by its inherent structural instability. In lithium-ion batteries, irreversible phase transitions, cation mixing, and oxygen losses cause rapid capacity fading during cycling, especially at high voltages. This ultimately limits the lifespan and commercial viability of high energy density applications.
To tackle this challenge, UT Dallas researchers employed computational modeling to analyze the atomic-level processes that occur during the final charging stage. Their analysis revealed that chemical reactions containing oxygen atoms within the system structures result in unstable material and cracking.
With this new understanding, the team came up with theoretical solutions. By introducing positively charged ions or cations, the filamentous cathode is strengthened to strengthen the material and form “pillars” that inhibit its decomposition.
“Deterioration of batteries made using Linio₂ has been a problem for decades, but the cause was not well understood,” said UT Dallas professor of materials science and engineering, and the Beacon Program. said Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, director of the program. “We’re working on the solution because we have a clear understanding of why this happens, so we can use technology to provide longer battery life on a variety of products, such as cell phones and electric vehicles.”
The meaning and opportunities for the future
This research is part of the Beacon Initiative launched in 2023, developing and commercializing new battery technologies and manufacturing processes, improving domestic availability of critical raw materials, and expanding the skilled workforce of the expanding battery energy storage sector. It is intended to train. The initiative aims to work with industry partners to accelerate the transition from laboratory-scale experiments to full-scale manufacturing.
Matthew Bergschneider, a doctoral student in Materials Science and Engineering and the first author of the study, sets up a robot-based lab to manufacture battery prototypes. “We’re going to start by creating a small amount and revamp the process,” says Bergschneider. “Then we will expand the synthesis of materials and produce hundreds of batteries a week at the beacon facility. All of these are stones to commercialization.”
By addressing the major degradation challenges of Linio₂ due to irreversible phase transitions, cation mixing, and oxygen loss, the UT Dallas team’s work overcomes one of the key barriers to next-generation lithium-ion battery performance. It represents an important advancement in doing so.
With plans to start manufacturing lab scales and start final collaborations with industry partners, the development could pave the way for long-lasting, high-performance batteries across a variety of consumer and industrial applications. there is.
