The engineers from the University of California, Riverside, say creating nanoparticles with a controlled shape in the materials used for batteries’ cathodes could make them smaller, more powerful, more efficient.
They also hope to reduce charge times by modifying the size and shape of the battery components. This could make the technology particularly suitable for electric vehicle batteries, which are a major limiting factor in the cars’ performance.
The researchers have demonstrated their technique with cathodes made from lithium iron phosphate, which has been used in electric vehicles because of its low cost, low toxicity and thermal and chemical stability, but has limited commercial potential because of its poor electric conductivity.
The reactant materials used to make the cathode were heated under pressure with a mix of solvents to control the size, shape and crystallinity of the particles, making the lithium ions in the cathode more mobile and so improving its performance.
‘This is a critical, fundamental step in improving the efficiency of these batteries,’ said lead researcher David Kisailus in a statement.
The research was sponsored by the Winston Chung Global Energy Center and published in the journal Crystal Growth & Design.
Source: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/electronics/news/pressure-cooker-method-helps-produce-better-batteries/1017524.article#ixzz2lYbuR4Vg
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