Verónica Castro-AllendeResearchers from Swansea University, in collaboration with Wuhan University of Technology and Shenzhen University, have made a breakthrough in lithium battery safety by developing large-scale graphene current collectors. This pioneering technology offers superior thermal conductivity, up to 1,400.8 W/mK, which is ten times higher than traditional copper and aluminum collectors. The enhanced thermal performance significantly reduces the risk of thermal runaway, a major safety concern in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Additionally, these graphene foils prevent the formation of explosive gases and improve overall battery longevity. This scalable method allows for the production of graphene foils in various lengths and thicknesses, enhancing their adaptability to specific battery requirements. The research team successfully demonstrated the durability of the material by creating a 200-meter-long foil that maintained high electrical conductivity even after 100,000 bends. As the world shifts towards renewable energy and electric mobility, the implications of this technology extend beyond lithium-ion batteries, offering potential applications in sodium-ion and redox flow batteries. By integrating graphene collectors into battery manufacturing, safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting energy storage solutions are becoming a reality, paving the way for the future of clean energy technology.
In collaboration with Wuhan University of Technology and Shenzhen University, researchers at Swansea University have accomplished a major advancement in lithium battery safety.
The team has developed a revolution technique for producing large-scale graphene present collectors, which promises to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries significantly.
This development addresses a significant issue with energy storage technology, specifically in terms of applications in solar energy systems and electric vehicles.
Breakthrough in graphene technology
The study describes the initial practical method for producing graphene foils without defects on a commercial scale.
These foils have outstanding thermal conductivity, with measurements ranging up to 1, 400.8 W m1 K1, which is roughly ten times higher than the traditional copper and aluminum current collectors used in lithium batteries. This improved thermal performance is a major improvement in battery safety and effectiveness.
” This is a major step forward for battery technology”, said Dr Rui Tan, co-lead author from Swansea University.
” Our approach allows for the production of graphene current collectors at a scale and quality that are simple to incorporate into the manufacturing of professional batteries.
This increases energy density and longevity in addition to improving battery safety by effectively managing heat.
Managing thermal fleeing risks
One of the most pressing issues in the development of high-energy lithium-ion batteries, particularly those used in electric vehicles, is the risk of thermal fugitive.
This risky scenario occurs when extreme heat causes a battery to fail, frequently resulting in fires or explosions.
Standard present collectors made of copper or aluminum are prone to this fatal failure mode because of their inability to effectively dissipate heat.
This issue can be effectively resolved with the new graphene present collectors. Their thick, oriented graphene structure reduces the flow of heat more effectively and prevents the formation of explosive gases and oxygen from entering the battery cells.
Our deep, oriented graphene structure provides a strong barrier against the formation of flammable gases and stops oxygen from permeating battery cells, which is essential for avoiding severe failures, asserted Dr. Jinlong Yang, a co-lead author from Shenzhen University.
Scalable and accommodating production
The researchers ‘ research has demonstrated that their method is a scalable solution capable of producing graphene foils in lengths ranging from meters to kilometers.
In a major demonstration of its potential, the team produced a 200-metre-long graphene foil with a thickness of just 17 micrometres.
This foil’s great electrical conductivity was preserved even after being bent over 100 000 times, demonstrating its potential for use in flexible electronics and other cutting-edge applications.
Also, this innovative approach allows for the production of graphene foils with customized thicknesses.
Because the material properties can be adjusted to fit the needs of the battery, this flexibility could result in yet more effective and safer batteries.
The researchers are working to increase the thickness of the graphene foils and to increase their structural properties as they continue to refine their process.
Importance of enhancing lithium battery performance and safety
As the world shifts toward renewable energy and electric transportation, it is important to develop safer and more effective lithium-ion batteries.
The performance and safety of these batteries are major, particularly in electric vehicles, where battery failures can have disastrous consequences.
Enhancing lithium battery safety involves improving the general dependability and life of the batteries in addition to preventing catastrophic failures like thermal fleeing.
By integrating graphene present collectors into corporate battery manufacturing, the potential for safer, more effective, and longer-lasting batteries becomes a reality.
Potential implications and continued research
The implications of this research extend much beyond lithium-ion batteries. The global team is looking into the possibility of using this novel material in various kinds of batteries, such as sodium-ion batteries and redox flow batteries.
Innovations like these graphene present collectors will have a significant impact on shaping the future of energy technology as the demand for safer and more effective energy storage solutions rises.
The advancement of yet more advanced and safer batteries in this field is expected to make them more affordable, fulfilling the need for dependable and responsible energy storage worldwide.
