Recently, battery technologies have been developing faster and faster, and researchers are constantly working to develop even better batteries.
A team from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea has presented an innovative lithium-metal battery with a “three-layer solid polymer electrolyte“. This battery is easy to extinguish and retains its charge for many more cycles than current batteries.
The DGIST team published a study in the journal Small, detailing the innovative electrolyte design, which increases both safety and performance. The secret is a three-layer structure: soft outer layers for good contact with the electrodes and a tough middle layer for structural integrity.
They also added a little decabromodiphenyl ethane, a large dose of lithium salt and zeolite for extra strength. The result? A battery that is both safer and more reliable.
The researchers, led by Dr. Kim Jae-hyun, say it has exceptional durability, retaining 87.9% of its capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. That's a welcome improvement over today's batteries, which typically lose 20-30% of their range over the same period.
The battery can also self-extinguish in the event of a fire. This combination of durability and safety could revolutionize the battery industry.
Dr. Kim Jae-hyun, the lead researcher, summed it up perfectly: “This research is expected to significantly contribute to the commercialization of lithium-metal batteries using solid polymer electrolytes, while providing increased stability and efficiency of energy storage devices.“