New research suggests that utilizing small silicon particles and gel polymer could lead to a breakthrough in lithium-ion batteries, allowing electric vehicles to travel approximately 1000 km on a single charge. This would represent a massive improvement in the range of electric vehicles.
Concerns about battery range are one of the main reasons why drivers hesitate to purchase electric vehicles. In response to this issue, research teams worldwide are seeking new solutions to enhance the capabilities of electric vehicle batteries.
Scientists have long been attempting to utilize silicon as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries due to its high charge storage capacity. However, the problem has been that silicon expands during charging and contracts during discharging, causing battery damage and reduced efficiency.
However, researchers from South Korea have now developed a “next-generation lithium-ion battery” with high energy density, which incorporates small silicon particles and gel polymer electrolytes. The gel polymer plays a crucial role in the battery by facilitating the movement of charged particles between the positive and negative electrode.
Unlike traditional liquid electrolytes, gel polymer electrolytes exist in solid or gel state, enabling greater stability. The researchers chemically combined the gel and small silicon particles, reducing internal stresses resulting from battery expansion.
“Our integrated system possesses exceptional properties, particularly in terms of limiting volume expansion while maintaining high ionic conductivity,” wrote the scientists.
According to the study, the new “cost-effective” gel electrolyte system exhibited similar conductivity to traditional liquid electrolyte batteries, while providing a nearly 40% increase in energy density.
These findings, according to the researchers, indicate the potential of this new solution to increase the energy density of batteries in the future. This could revolutionize energy storage systems and contribute to the expansion of electric vehicle range, which currently stands at around 700 km on a single charge and may reach up to 1000 km in the future.
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The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl