APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Development of high-performance Li-ion cathodes
BENEFITS:
- Enables a nearly zero-strain operation upon high-capacity cycling
BACKGROUND:
- Rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries of high energy and power density are in increasing demand, with the market expected to reach $5B by 2024. There is a need for the cathode material to demonstrate performance of high capacity retention and high rate capability at various voltage and temperature conditions.
- Very limited success has been achieved thus far in the development of a material that integrates the favored structural and electrochemical attributes of layered and rock salt structure.
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW:
Researchers at Berkeley Lab led by Wei Tong have employed a novel layered/rock salt intergrown structure concept with features that highlight its advantages in regards to performance and processability.
The structure of this new class of cathode materials harnesses the favored figures of merit from each individual component, including the high capacity of the layered and rock salt phases, good kinetics of the layered oxide, and structural advantage of the rock salt phase. Ultimately, it is key in holding the materials together through charge and discharge cycles. Initial studies have demonstrated structural stability upon 1 Li+ extraction/insertion in a Li-ion cell, which is comparable to that of emerging disordered rock salts.
The structural compatibility of layered and rock salt phases exemplifies a new concept of battery electrode design and addresses the pressing demand for advanced cathode materials by enabling the development of high-performance Li-ion cathodes.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
- Wei Tong
- Ning Li
- Meiling Sun
- Jing Xu
STATUS: Patent pending.
OPPORTUNITIES: Available for licensing or collaborative research.
PUBLICATION:
Li, N., Sun, M., Kan, W.H. et al. Layered-rocksalt intergrown cathode for high-capacity zero-strain battery operation. Nat Commun 12, 2348 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22527-z
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