Researchers at MIT have developed a new material for the production of batteries for electric cars that could be more environmentally friendly. Instead of traditional metals like cobalt or nickel, it utilizes an organic material for the cathode.
The new material has been found to conduct electricity just as well as cobalt batteries, has similar energy storage capacity, and can be charged faster. Additionally, the production of batteries using this material could be significantly cheaper than cobalt-containing batteries.
Most electric cars rely on lithium-ion batteries, in which lithium ions move from the cathode with a positive charge to the anode with a negative charge. In many lithium-ion batteries, the cathode contains cobalt, a metal known for its stability and energy density. However, cobalt has its drawbacks—it is a scarce metal, and the costs of its extraction are variable.
Furthermore, cobalt mining is associated with environmental and ethical issues, often related to hazardous working conditions, toxic waste, and dependence on politically unstable regions.
The new organic material developed by MIT researchers consists of multiple layers of TAQ (bis-tetraaminobenzoquinone), an organic molecule with three connected hexagonal rings. The layers form a structure similar to graphene, and within the molecules, there are quinones and amines, making the material stable and insoluble.
Insolubility is important for prolonging the durability of the material, preventing it from dissolving in the battery electrolyte.
The new organic material has been found to exhibit comparable conductivity and energy storage capacity to traditional cobalt batteries. Batteries with a TAQ cathode demonstrated faster charging and discharging rates, potentially speeding up the process of charging electric vehicles.
To enhance the stability of the organic material and its adhesion to the current collector of the battery (typically made of copper or aluminum), researchers added fillers such as cellulose and rubber. These fillers constitute less than one-tenth of the total cathode composite and have no significant impact on the energy storage capacity of the battery.
Furthermore, they contribute to prolonging the cathode’s durability, preventing it from cracking during lithium ion flow. The basic materials for producing this cathode—quinone precursor and amine precursor—are already commercially available, and researchers estimate that the cost of assembling these organic batteries could be one-third to half the cost of cobalt batteries.
Published studies confirm that the new organic material holds promise as an alternative to traditional metals used in lithium-ion batteries. With further research and development of this technology, eco-friendly batteries could become a popular choice for future electric vehicles.
FAQ:
1. What materials were used in the production of batteries for electric cars developed by MIT researchers?
MIT researchers have developed a new material for the production of batteries for electric cars that utilizes an organic material for the cathode instead of traditional metals like cobalt or nickel.
2. What are the characteristics of the new organic material for battery cathodes?
The new organic material consists of multiple layers of TAQ (bis-tetraaminobenzoquinone), an organic molecule with three connected hexagonal rings. It has a stable structure similar to graphene and is insoluble.
3. What are the advantages of the new material for batteries with an organic cathode?
The new material has been found to conduct electricity just as well as cobalt batteries, has similar energy storage capacity, and can be charged faster. Additionally, the production of batteries using this material could be significantly cheaper than cobalt-containing batteries.
4. What are the drawbacks of traditional cobalt batteries?
Traditional lithium-ion batteries with cobalt cathodes have drawbacks such as dependence on politically unstable regions and environmental and ethical issues associated with cobalt mining.
5. What filler materials were added to the organic cathode material?
Researchers added filler materials such as cellulose and rubber to increase the stability of the material and its adhesion to the battery’s current collector.
6. What is the estimated price of the new organic batteries compared to traditional cobalt batteries?
Researchers estimate that the cost of assembling organic batteries could be one-third to half the cost of cobalt batteries.
7. What are the possibilities for the development of this technology?
With further research and development, eco-friendly batteries using the organic cathode material could become a popular choice for future electric vehicles.
Related Links:
– MIT: Official website of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
– samochodyelektryczne.info: Informational portal about electric cars.
– ekoauto.pl: Website dedicated to eco-friendly cars.
The source of the article is from the blog crasel.tk