2023-08-26 23:00:00
Heba Al-Sayed wrote Sunday, August 27, 2023 02:00 AM Researchers have discovered a way to prevent harmful and potentially dangerous side effects that can occur during fast charging, which is known as “lithium plating”, in a major achievement for the electric car industry. This phenomenon occurs when lithium ions build up on the surface of the battery’s anode (also known as the negative electrode) instead of inserting themselves into it via a process called intercalation. As a result, the ions form a layer of metallic lithium that continues to grow over the anode. This could damage the battery, reduce its lifespan, reduce its overall performance, and cause short circuits that could lead to a fire or explosion, according to TheNextWeb. The research team, led by Dr Xuequn Lu of Queen Mary University of London, found that the key to suppressing lithium coating in the graphite anode was to improve its microstructure. This is done by adjusting the particle and electrode morphology to ensure homogeneous reaction activity and reduce local lithium saturation. “Our research has revealed that the desalination mechanisms of graphite particles differ under different conditions, depending on their surface shape, size, shape and orientation,” said Dr. Xuequn Lu. We can capture when and where lithium plating starts and how fast it grows.” The study provides insights into the physical processes of lithium redistribution within graphite particles during fast charging. These lessons could enable the development of more efficient and advanced fast charging protocols. Another equally important finding is that optimizing the anode microstructure could boost the battery’s energy density, meaning longer distances on a single charge. “This is a major achievement that could have a significant impact on the future of electric vehicles,” Dr. Lu noted. Faster-charging and longer-lasting electric vehicle batteries are crucial to enabling our full transition to electric mobility.
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