Cracking the code on sulfur-based cathodes
2 days ago
- #sulfur-cathode
- #battery-technology
- #solid-state-batteries
- Global demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to more than double by 2030, driven by EVs and electrified aviation.
- Sulfur is a low-cost, abundant material with high theoretical capacity, but its insulating nature has limited its practical use in batteries.
- Researchers developed a sulfur-based composite cathode achieving 1500 mAh/g, nearing sulfur's theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh/g.
- The team demonstrated this performance in a practical pouch cell, proving scalability for EV applications.
- A one-step milling process was developed to uniformly blend sulfur, solid-state electrolyte, and conductive carbon, improving performance.
- Particle size of the solid-state electrolyte was found to be crucial for optimal performance.
- The research leverages the opposite 'breathing' behaviors of sulfur and NMC electrodes to reduce stress and wear during cycling.
- The work is a collaboration between academia and industry, specifically with LG Energy Solution, aiming for affordable, high-performance batteries.