Battery Technology Research Articles

Confining Polymer Electrolyte in MOF for Safe and High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Sodium Metal Batteries

AbstractNanoconfined polymer molecules exhibit profound transformations in their properties and behaviors. Here, we present the synthesis of a polymer‐in‐MOF single ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte, where polymer segments are partially confined within nanopores ZIF‐8 particles through Lewis acid‐base interactions for solid‐state sodium‐metal batteries (SSMBs). The unique nanoconfinement effectively weakens Na ion coordination with the anions, facilitating the Na ion dissociation from salt. Simultaneously, the well‐defined nanopores within ZIF‐8 particles provide oriented and ordered migration channels for Na migration. As a result, this pioneering design allows the solid polymer electrolyte to achieve a Na ion transference number of 0.87, Na ion conductivity of 4.01×10−4 S cm−1, and an extended electrochemical voltage window up to 4.89 V vs. Na/Na+. The assembled SSMBs (with Na3V2(PO4)3 as the cathode) exhibit dendrite‐free Na‐metal deposition, promising rate capability, and stable cycling performance with 96 % capacity retention over 300 cycles. This innovative polymer‐in‐MOF design offers a compelling strategy for advancing high‐performance and safe solid‐state metal battery technologies.

A Bayesian optimized machine learning approach for accurate state of charge estimation of lithium ion batteries used for electric vehicle application

In recent times, battery technology used in electric vehicles has drawn numerous researchers' attention. Monitoring the battery condition, particularly the State of charge, is required to ensure the battery's safe and reliable performance. Despite the fact that many SOC estimation methods have been proposed, further research is necessary to identify an approach that adapts versatile lithium-ion battery chemistries. In the recent study it has been demonstrated that Machine Learning approaches have better prediction accuracy compared to conventional methods. To maximize the performance of Machine learning models, it is imperative to select the optimal hyperparameters and employ appropriate input parameters. At present, researchers employ, established heuristics methods to select hyperparameters, which may involve manual tuning or exhaustive search techniques such as random search and grid search. These techniques make the models less accurate and inefficient. In this paper, a systematic, automated process for selecting hyperparameters with a Bayesian optimization algorithm is proposed. In addition, along with the battery parameters (voltage, current and temperature), vehicle velocity, road condition, motor characteristics and environmental conditions are used as the input parameters for accurate SOC prediction. The highly correlated input features are selected through the MRMR algorithm. The performance of six ML algorithms, namely SVM, ANN, GPR, Ensembler, linear regression and Decision Tree, is tested and validated with and without hyperparameter tuning for different data sets. The experimental results demonstrate that the hyperparameter-tuned model outperforms the standard model in estimating the State of charge (SOC). In addition, the model's estimation error is <1 % across a range of vehicle velocity, road condition, motor torque, battery voltage, current, and temperature.

Towards to Battery Digital Passport: Reviewing Regulations and Standards for Second-Life Batteries

Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation harm the environment. In response to these environmental concerns, numerous countries encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Advances in battery technology have made batteries an alternative solution for energy storage in stationary applications and for electric mobility. Reduced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) production costs due to economies of scale, electrode material and cell design developments, and manufacturing process improvements have driven this success. This trend is expected to increase the number of LIBs on the market that may be discarded in the environment at the end of their useful life if more sustainable alternatives are not technologically mature. This coming environmental concern can be mitigated by collecting wasted EV batteries, reconfiguring them, and reusing them for applications with less stringent weight, performance, and size requirements. This method would extend battery life and reduce environmental effects. The present work investigates the main regulatory structures of the second-life battery industry that require rules, technical standards, and laws. To achieve this objective, a systematic review was carried out following a strict protocol that includes identifying relevant studies, extracting data and information, evaluating, and summarizing information. This paper explains the primary rules and technical standards governing the second-life battery business. The findings highlight the need for universities, research institutions, and government agencies to evaluate the second-life battery industry objectively. This would enable the creation of new technological regulations and laws for this burgeoning industry.

From power to plants: unveiling the environmental footprint of lithium batteries.

Widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries in electronic products, electric cars, and renewable energy systems has raised severe worries about the environmental consequences of spent lithium batteries. Because of its mobility and possible toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, lithium, as a vital component of battery technology, has inherent environmental problems. Leaching of lithium from discharged batteries, as well as its subsequent migration through soil and water, represents serious environmental hazards, since it accumulates in the food chain, impacting ecosystems and human health. This study thoroughly analyses the effects of lithium on plants, including its absorption, transportation, and toxicity. An attempt has been made to examine how lithium moves throughout plants through symplastic and apoplastic pathways and the factors that affect lithium accumulation in plant tissues, such as soil pH and calcium. This review focuses on the possible toxicity of lithium and its impact on ecosystems and human health. Aside from examining the environmental impacts, this review also emphasizes the significance of proper disposal and recycling measures in order to offset the negative effects of used lithium batteries. The paper also highlights the need for ongoing research to develop innovative and sustainable techniques for lithium recovery and remediation.

Variation of electrochemical performance of Li2ZrCl6 halide solid electrolyte with Mn substitution for all-solid-state batteries

All-solid-state batteries (ASSLBs) have gained attention as a next-generation battery technology. Halide solid electrolytes may be a candidate material for next-generation batteries due to their high stability in combination with cathode-active materials and good deformability. However, the halide solid electrolyte exhibits low ionic conductivity compared to other solid electrolytes, such as oxide and sulfide solid electrolytes. In this study, in order to improve the ionic conductivity, a strategy is presented to increase the ionic conductivity by changing the Li + concentration and metal charge by doping Mn2+ in the trigonal Li2ZrCl6. Mn-doped Li2ZrCl6 is synthesized by high-energy ball-milling. Structural analysis is conducted by powder X-ray diffraction, 7Li-Nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance is evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurement. Each value of ionic conductivity in the bare and optimized compositions is 0.4 mS cm−1 and 0.8 mS cm−1, respectively. The activation energy of Li2ZrCl6 and 5 mol% Mn doped Li2ZrCl6 is 0.342 and 0.326 eV. Galvanostatic charge-discharge is conducted to confirm cycling performance. The initial discharge capacity for Li2ZrCl6 and 5 mol% Mn-doped Li2ZrCl6 are 171.6 and 185.6 mAh g−1, respectively.

Defect engineering enables an advanced separator modification for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

High-energy–density lithium-sulfur batteries have been rated as a promising, yet challenging, next-generation battery technology. Typically, the serious shuttle of polysulfide intermediates and sluggish solid–solid reaction kinetics often result in irreversibly sulfur loss, low Coulombic efficiency, and limited lifespan. Herein, we propose a facile and efficient separator modification strategy using a rationally designed sulfiphilic and lithiophilic mediator, i.e. in-situ confinement growth of oxygen-deficient TiO2-x nanoparticles within nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon matrix to modulate the sulfur electrochemistry. The nanoscale defective catalyst within open mesoporous host affords favorable adsorption of polysulfides and catalytic conversion ability. Moreover, the versatile composite improves the electrolyte wettability and Li+ transfer kinetics and alleviates self-discharge behavior. Resultantly, the Li-S batteries using modified separator achieves significantly improved cycling stability with a low capacity decay of only 0.067% per cycle after 500 cycles at 2C. The defect engineering together with separator modification strategies enable efficient and durable Li-S batteries.

FPGA-Based VFF-RLS Algorithm for Battery Insulation Detection in Electric Vehicles

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, attention has switched to ensuring the safety of EV operations. The exponential growth in battery technology over the past several years has changed the face of energy storage and sparked a revolution in several industries. The degradation of battery insulation during regular use is a significant concern. The high voltage (HV) and current levels in HV electric vehicles pose a significant electrical threat.The advancement of electric vehicle technology has led to an increasing presence of HV electric equipment throughout the vehicle. The insulation strength and early health status detection of the batteries are essential in ensuring safety in EVs. This paper studies the different insulation detection techniques and the development of adaptive filter (AF) algorithms based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for insulation detection. FPGAs are amongst the most accurate and fast detection techniques among all the insulation detection techniques used so far in electric vehicles. This study proposes an FPGA-based VFF-RLS algorithm for effectively implementing insulation detection in EVs. The experimental test results using FPGAs demonstrate that the proposed method can rapidly monitor changes in insulation resistance (IR). The VFFRLS-based FPGA technique works sufficiently well to reduce errors when dealing with variations in voltage and resistance conditions at the battery terminals.

High-entropy and compositionally complex battery materials

The global demand for high energy density batteries, mostly for application in electric vehicles, offering increased durability, safety, and sustainability is growing rapidly. In the past, this demand has been met primarily by the development and/or improvement of new/established battery materials and technologies. The high-entropy design concept—aiming at increasing chemical complexity/occupational disorder—has recently been introduced into the field of electrochemical energy storage. Various high-entropy battery materials that are seemingly capable of outperforming low-entropy counterparts by offering desirable properties have been reported. However, future studies are required to explore if the concept is broadly applicable and can be extended to all types of battery materials, especially those that are of industrial relevance. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the existing high-entropy anodes, cathodes, and solid/liquid electrolytes for use in rechargeable Li- or Na-ion batteries and discuss potential research directions and opportunities.

Energy Consumption and Battery Size of Battery Trolley Electric Trucks in Surface Mines

Mining production, being one of the most energy-intensive industries globally, consumes substantial amounts of fossil fuels and contributes to extensive carbon emissions worldwide. The trend toward electrification and advanced developments in battery technology have shifted attention from diesel power to battery alternatives. These alternatives are appealing, as they contribute to decarbonisation efforts when compared to conventional diesel trucks. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent technological advancements in powertrains for Mining Haulage Truck (MHT). It also compares these configurations based on mining system-level considerations to assess their future potential. The evaluated configurations include Diesel-Electric Truck (DET), Trolley Assist Truck (TAT), Battery-only Truck (BOT), Battery Trolley with Dynamic charging truck (BT-D), and Battery Trolley with Stationary charging truck (BT-S). According to the analysis, the energy demand for on-board diesel or battery power (excluding trolley power) in these alternative options is as follows: DET—681 kWh, BOT—645 kWh, TAT—511 kWh, BT-S—471 kWh, and BT-D—466 kWh. The paper also illustrates the theory of battery size design based on the current battery technology, battery material selection, battery package design, and battery size selection methods. In the case of tailored battery size selection, BOT, BT-D, and BT-S configurations require LiFePO4 (LFP) battery masses of 25 tonnes, 18 tonnes, and 18 tonnes, respectively. Based on a techno-economic assessment of battery MHT alternatives with a future perspective, it has been determined that BT-D requires the lowest amount of on-board battery energy. Furthermore, over a span of 20 years, BT-S has demonstrated the lowest on-board battery cost.

A Review of Capacity Decay Studies of All-vanadium Redox Flow Batteries: Mechanism and State Estimation.

As a promising large-scale energy storage technology, all-vanadium redox flow battery has garnered considerable attention. However, the issue of capacity decay significantly hinders its further development, and thus the problem remains to be systematically sorted out and further explored. This review provides comprehensive insights into the multiple factors contributing to capacity decay, encompassing vanadium cross-over, self-discharge reactions, water molecules migration, gas evolution reactions, and vanadium precipitation. Subsequently, it analyzes the impact of various battery parameters on capacity. Based on this foundation, the article expounds upon the significance of battery internal state estimation technology. Additionally, the review also summarizes domestic and international mathematical models utilized for simulating capacity decay, serving as a valuable reference for future research endeavors. Finally, through the comparison of traditional experimental methods and mathematical modeling methods, this article offers effective guidance for the future development direction of battery state monitoring. This review generally overview the problems related to the capacity attenuation of all-vanadium flow batteries, which is of great significance for understanding the mechanism behind capacity decay and state monitoring technology of all-vanadium redox flow battery.

Cationic cellulose nanofiber solid electrolytes: A pathway to high lithium-ion migration and polysulfide adsorption for lithium-sulfur batteries

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) solid electrolytes, acknowledged for their safety advantages over liquid counterparts, confront inherent challenges, including low ionic conductivity, restricted lithium ion migration, and mechanical fragility, notably pronounced in lithium‑sulfur batteries due to the polysulfide shuttling phenomenon. To address these limitations, we integrate a quaternary ammonium cation-modified cellulose (QACC) nanofiber, electrospun with cellulose acetate (CA) from recycled cigarette filters, into the PEO electrolyte matrix. The nitrogen atom within the quaternary ammonium group exhibits a pronounced affinity for polysulfide compounds, effectively curtailing polysulfide migration. Concurrently, Lewis acid-base interactions between quaternary ammonium groups and lithium salt anions facilitate the release of additional Li+, achieving a lithium-ion transference number 1.5 times higher than its pure PEO counterpart. Furthermore, the introduction of a larger trifluoromethanesulfonimide (TFSI) group on the QACC macromolecule (TFSI-QACC) disrupts the ordered arrangement of PEO macromolecules, resulting in a noteworthy enhancement in ionic conductivity, reaching 2.07 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 60 °C, thus addressing the challenge of low PEO electrolyte conductivity. Moreover, the nanofiber enhances the mechanical strength of the PEO electrolyte from 0.49 to 7.50 MPa, mitigating safety concerns related to lithium dendrites puncturing the electrolyte. Consequently, the composite PEO demonstrates exemplary performance in lithium symmetrical batteries, enduring 500 h of continuous operation and completing 100 cycles at both room and elevated temperatures. This integrated approach, transitioning from waste to wealth, adeptly addresses a spectrum of challenges in the efficiency of solid-state electrolytes, holding considerable promise for advancing lithium‑sulfur battery technology.

Surface engineered carbon felt toward highly reversible Fe anode for all-iron flow batteries

Low-cost all-iron flow batteries recently promise a great alternative to conventional flow battery technologies for large-scale energy storage. However, inferior Fe deposition/dissolution reversibility at anode largely impedes further advance of all-iron flow battery in application. Here, we report a surface engineered carbon felt with abundant carbon defects, which realizes highly reversible Fe deposition/dissolution for all-iron flow batteries. By introducing nano-scale pores on carbon fibers via a multistep electrode treatment approach, the modified carbon felt features a high degree of defects and proves effective in promoting Fe/Fe2+ kinetics and improving Fe nucleation and growth morphology, which is beneficial for both uniform Fe deposition and complete Fe dissolution rendering a substantially enhanced reversibility for Fe anode. Theoretical calculations further ascribe the enhanced Fe/Fe2+ reversibility to strong adsorption and intensified hybridization between Fe2+ and carbon defects, while all-iron flow cell tests adopting the modified carbon felt finally demonstrates a high power density of 80 mW cm−2 as well as stable charge–discharge operation over 250 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of 99 %, which highlights the importance of electrode design in developing stable Fe anode for use in high-performance all-iron flow batteries.

Deep eutectic solvent assisted electrodialysis towards selective resource recovery from model spent batteries effluents

Critical minerals will remain major active ingredients to most battery technologies for decades and innovation to improve extractive operations during spent battery effluent recycling must be carried out. Although the recovery of metal-ions in aqueous solutions has been demonstrated with membrane systems, including electrodialysis, process intensification to increase the diffusion rate at the membrane/liquid interface must be achieved to improve recovery efficiency. This manuscript presents a unique approach to increase the rate of recovery and transfer of Li+ and Co2+ ions from a membrane bulk phase to an organic liquid phase by applying deep eutectic solvent (DES) instead of an aqueous solution as the permeate stream during electrodialysis. The DES, based on choline chloride and urea at a molar ratio of 1:2, is considered green and relatively non-toxic valuable for solvent extraction purpose. Here, electrodialysis tests were conducted with this solvent on the permeate side using commercial Neosepta and laboratory-made cobalt selective membranes. The DES significantly affected cobalt transport across the membranes and separation factor which increased from 247 to 516, leading to cobalt recovery as high as 66 %. Furthermore, the use of DES on the permeate side greatly improved the energy efficiency increasing the amount of recovered cobalt per Joule of energy by over 20 %.

Current Trends and Perspectives of Polymers in Batteries.

This Perspective aims to present the current status and future opportunities for polymer science in battery technologies. Polymers play a crucial role in improving the performance of the ubiquitous lithium ion battery. But they will be even more important for the development of sustainable and versatile post-lithium battery technologies, in particular solid-state batteries. In this article, we identify the trends in the design and development of polymers for battery applications including binders for electrodes, porous separators, solid electrolytes, or redox-active electrode materials. These trends will be illustrated using a selection of recent polymer developments including new ionic polymers, biobased polymers, self-healing polymers, mixed-ionic electronic conducting polymers, inorganic-polymer composites, or redox polymers to give some examples. Finally, the future needs, opportunities, and directions of the field will be highlighted.

Insight into energy release characteristics of TiH2 dust explosion through ignition experiments and molecular dynamic simulations

TiH2 is an efficient hydrogen storage material with high energy density and relatively stable chemical quality, which is commonly used in metal sponge production, hydrogen storage, battery technology, rocket propellants, etc. In this study, TiH2 dust explosion is systematically investigated by integrating ignition experiments with reactive force field molecular dynamics simulation. Findings show that when the TiH2 dust concentration is 750 g·m−3, both the explosion pressure and explosion pressure rise rate reach their maximum values under airtight and venting conditions. There are three stages in the whole combustion process: the combustion development stage, the stable combustion stage, and the decay stage. The flame length (L) and flame propagation velocity (v) grow with the increase of dust concentration. TiH2 dust explosion with different concentrations in macroscopic tests is approximated by simulating the combustion behaviors of the TiH2 system with different densities. The combustion reaction rate of TiH2 grows with an increase in system density, and the simulation results are consistent with experimental findings.

Review of heat pipes for power batteries of new energy vehicles

With the global energy crisis becoming one of the most concerned topics, the application of new energy systems has become the most popular research at present. In addition, with the emerging new energy vehicles, problems such as high calorific value and insufficient heat dissipation performance of lithium batteries for new energy vehicles have not been solved, so the research on thermal management technology of lithium batteries is essential. Based on the analysis of heat pipe research, this paper summarizes heat pipe from three aspects, including structure and arrangement of the heat pipe, wall materials of the heat pipe and phase change materials of the heat pipe. This paper puts forward new insights and provides a reference for the research on the thermal management of lithium batteries for new energy vehicles.

Biomass carbon-reinforced zinc-based composite oxide as an anode for superior sodium storage

The pursuit of high-abundance, cost-effective sodium-ion batteries represents a longstanding and valuable objective in the field. However, significant challenges remain in the quest for breakthroughs, particularly in the discovery of high-performance anode materials and a deeper understanding of the sodium storage mechanism. In this study, we present novel insights into the sodium storage properties of biomass carbon-reinforced Zn2P2O7 (Zn2P2O7/C-c) synthesized via a hydrothermal method followed by annealing, marking the first report of its kind. The unique loose porous structure of the Zn2P2O7/C-c composite offers multiple advantages. It facilitates efficient electrolyte infiltration, enhances the diffusion pathways for sodium ions, expedites electron transfer, and crucially, promotes the retention of Zn2P2O7 on the carbon substrate, even under conditions of mechanical stress or pulverization. Consequently, the Zn2P2O7/C-c composite demonstrates significantly improved rate capability, exhibiting specific capacities of 276.11, 234.41, 195.28, and 149.56 mA h g−1 at current densities of 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 A g−1, respectively. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional cyclic stability with a capacity retention rate of 71% after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at 1 A g−1. In-depth in-situ/ex-situ characterization techniques confirm that the sodium storage mechanism involves a conversion reaction between Zn2P2O7 and Zn, as well as an alloying reaction between Zn and ZnNa13. Kinetic analysis underscores the predominant role of pseudocapacitance in facilitating sodium storage, particularly at high charge-discharge rates. These findings offer valuable insights and inspiration for the exploration of high-performance Zn2P2O7-based anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, representing a significant step toward the realization of cost-effective and efficient sodium-ion battery technology in the future.

Tin dioxide coated rice husk silica as lead-acid battery positive additive for enhancing the performance under power-intensive applications

Lead-acid batteries rapidly response to instantaneous high-current, rendering them particularly effective for high-power applications, including power traction batteries, starter batteries, and start-stop systems. However, issues arise during intense working rate (6–10C), causing significant polarization that leads to severe oxygen evolution side reactions and softening and shedding of positive active material (PAM), limiting the battery's cycle life. This study introduces a tin dioxide (SnO2) coated rice husk silica (RH-SiO2) composite as an positive additive in lead-acid batteries. The composite (SnO2/RH-SiO2) has a hierarchical pore structure from RH-SiO2, provides a robust conductive framework. The lattice structure of the SnO2 is similar to that of PbO2, while induces the formation of a PbSnO3 intermediate phase during formation process. SnO2/RH-SiO2 can also accelerates lead dioxide deposition and improves the interphase conversion efficiency, while significantly enhances the transformation of α- and β-PbO2, leading to a 20.7% increase in discharge specific capacity. Compared to a standard battery, up to 3.7 times longer at 100% deep discharge cycle life and 4.7 times longer in start-stop-mode testing. In our finding the SnO2/RH-SiO2 composite serves as a highly effective additive for augmenting the performance and longevity of lead-acid batteries in high-power applications, presenting a significant advancement in battery technology.

Effect of graphene nanoplatelets induced ethylene glycol/water mixture (50:50) fluid on lithium-battery cooling

Battery technology is the main driving force behind the shift towards emission-free transportation. However, a major obstacle to the widespread adoption of this technology is the need to maintain the battery's temperature at a standard of 27 °C. Traditionally, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water is circulated through the battery pack for cooling, but this method is not sufficient. By contrast, the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can improve heat transfer, reducing temperature rise in the battery cell. In this study, a customized battery pack has been simulated using coolants containing varying concentrations of GNPs (ranging from 0.001 vol% to 0.01 vol%) to assess their effectiveness in lowering the operating temperature. The Lagrangian approach has been employed to track the discrete phase particles which couples with Eulerian continuous phase fluid. Results have shown that the pure EG/Water coolant decreases the peak temperature of the system by 16.67% (60 °C–50 °C) which further decreases to 26.85 °C (reduction of 55.25%) till the addition of optimum 0.03 vol% GNP. With the addition of only 0.001 vol% of GNPs, the difference in the peak temperature in the model increases from 10 °C to 31.15 °C as compared to the pure mixture. Higher thermal conductivity, greater surface area and higher specific heat capacity of the particles are attributed for this enhanced cooling.

Enhancing the cycling stability of commercial silicon nanoparticles by carbon coating and thin layered single-walled carbon nanotube webbing

Silicon-based anode materials are considered as the most attractive alternatives to traditional graphite anodes, thereby advancing the evolution of new-generation lithium-ion battery technology. However, the inadequate electrical conduction of silicon-based materials, along with severe volume expansion during charging and discharging processes, limits their further technological applications. Herein, a dual-layer carbon shell configuration is designed to efficiently alleviate the substantial volumetric expansion of silicon during cycles, while simultaneously improving the efficiency of both electron and lithium ions. The effectiveness of this layered buffering approach is credited to the networked structure of outer single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) layer, which is firmly attached to the inner carbon shell's surface. The modified structure not only elevates the level of electrical conduction, but also significantly reduces the internal stress due to silicon's expansion. The developed Si@C@SWCNT electrode materials exhibit high capacity of 1267.3 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1, and sustains an elevated rate capacity of 863 mA h g−1 at 8 A g−1. This study highlights the enormous potential of Si@C@SWCNT composites for use in lithium-ion batteries and provides new perspectives for further exploration and utilization of silicon-carbon anodes.