"The porous nanospheres of the compound Cu0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 we obtained, used as an anode material, have three times the capacity of existing batteries on the market, and at the same time, they have four times more charge-discharge cycles compared to other promising alternatives," said Yevgeny Kolesnikov, a researcher at the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials at the National Research University of Technology and Engineering. "This improvement relies on the special nanostructure and the synergistic effect between the elements used."
Because of the use of spray pyrolysis, the final material synthesis can be completed in one step, without intermediate steps. Scientists explain that this is achieved by using ultrasound to convert an aqueous solution containing the desired metal ions into a mist, then evaporating the solvent and decomposing the original metal salt at temperatures up to 1200°C. The result is micron or submicron spheres with the porosity required for operation in lithium-ion systems.
Further Reading:
Basic parameters of lithium batteries
1. Battery capacity: The capacity of a lithium battery depends on the amount of active material in the battery, and is usually expressed in milliampere-hours or ampere-hours.
2. Nominal Voltage: The potential difference between the positive and negative electrodes of a lithium battery is called the battery's nominal voltage. The nominal voltage is determined by the electrode potential of the plate materials and the concentration of the internal electrolyte.
3. Charging termination voltage: When a rechargeable battery is fully charged, the active material on the electrodes has reached saturation. If the battery continues to charge, the battery voltage will not rise. This voltage is called the charging termination voltage.
4. Discharge Termination Voltage: The discharge termination voltage refers to the lowest permissible voltage during battery discharge. The discharge termination voltage is related to the discharge rate.
5. Battery internal resistance: The internal resistance of a lithium battery is determined by the resistance of the plates and the impedance of the ion flow. During charging and discharging, the resistance of the plates remains constant, but the impedance of the ion flow will change with the electrolyte concentration and the increase or decrease of charged particles.
6. Battery self-discharge rate: During storage, the capacity of a lithium battery gradually decreases. The ratio of this capacity reduction to the total battery capacity is called the self-discharge rate, expressed as "%/month". The lower the self-discharge rate, the better the storage performance.
The role of lithium batteries
① Suppress battery polarization, reduce thermal effects, and improve rate performance;
② It reduces the battery's internal resistance and significantly reduces the increase in dynamic internal resistance during cycling;
③ Improve the adhesion between the active material and the current collector, and reduce the manufacturing cost of the electrode;
④ Improve the high and low temperature performance of lithium iron phosphate batteries and improve the processing performance of lithium iron phosphate and lithium titanate materials.
What is the value of lithium batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most viable technological route for energy storage product development. Lithium-ion batteries possess advantages such as high energy density, low self-discharge, no memory effect, wide operating temperature range, rapid charging and discharging, long lifespan, and no environmental pollution, earning them the title of "green batteries." Driven by numerous companies, the trend of lithium-ion batteries becoming the mainstream battery technology for energy storage is becoming increasingly apparent.
Waste lithium batteries are primarily recycled using physical methods, supplemented by waste disposal measures. This approach is characterized by its green and low-carbon nature, energy conservation, environmental friendliness, and lack of secondary pollution, while also balancing economic and environmental benefits. It utilizes valuable components while simultaneously treating harmful components harmlessly. With the increasingly widespread application of lithium-ion batteries, recycling valuable metals from them, reducing environmental pollution, and alleviating resource scarcity are of significant social and economic importance.
With the increasingly severe situation of ecological environment and climate change, an energy revolution characterized by prioritizing the development of renewable energy has become an inevitable trend. Currently, new energy sources cannot completely replace traditional fossil fuels. Innovation in new energy technologies still requires the promotion of society, industry, and enterprises. The industry should view any emerging technology with a developmental perspective. The advantages of each technology inevitably exist in corresponding markets; the market is the true touchstone of technology.
