The MIT R&D team collaborated with ORNL, BMW Group and Tokyo Institute of Technology to develop a new approach to change the ion mobility and oxidation stability of lithium-ion conductors, utilizing lattice dynamics (lattice dynamics) A key component in the development of rechargeable batteries. This method may accelerate the development of high-energy solid state lithium batteries, as well as other energy storage and delivery devices such as fuel cells.
This new method relies on the way in which solid lithium-ion conductors pass through the lattice, and it correlates it with the way in which ion migration is inhibited, helping to discover enhanced ion mobility new materials that can support rapid charging and discharging. At the same time, this method can be used In order to reduce the reactivity of the material and the battery electrode, thereby shortening its service life. Better ion mobility and lower reactivity, these two characteristics are often mutually exclusive.
The original idea of the MIT team was to understand and control the water decomposition catalyst and apply it to ion conduction. This process is not only the core of rechargeable batteries, but also the core of other key technologies such as fuel cells and desalination systems. It is observed that there is a good correlation between the measured lattice properties and the electrical conductivity of the lithium ion conductor material. The vibrational frequency of lithium itself can be used to subtly alter the structure of the atom by adjusting its lattice structure, using chemical substitution or dopants. arrangement.
The researchers said that this new method can provide a powerful tool for the development of new materials with better performance, which can significantly increase the storage battery capacity and improve safety. The technology is also suitable for the analysis of other electrochemical process materials , Such as solid oxide fuel cells, membrane-based desalination systems or oxygen-producing reactions. The project was supported by BMW, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
