CAMBRIDGE, MA — Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made advancements in battery technology by developing a new class of cathodes utilizing disordered rock salt-polyanionic spinel (DRXPS). This innovation aims to enhance the performance of low-cost, high-energy lithium-ion batteries for applications including smartphones, renewable energy storage, and electric vehicles (EVs).

The study, led by Ju Li, Tokyo Electric Power Company Professor in Nuclear Engineering, focuses on integrating partially disordered rock salt cathodes with polyanions. This new material, referred to as disordered rock salt-polyanionic spinel (DRXPS), demonstrates high energy density at elevated voltages while significantly improving cycling stability.

According to Yimeng Huang, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, “There is typically a trade-off in cathode materials between energy density and cycling stability … and with this work, we aim to push the envelope by designing new cathode chemistries.” The integration of rock salt and polyanionic olivine allows the new material to benefit from the strengths of both types.

A notable aspect of this development is the primary composition of manganese, an earth-abundant and cost-effective element compared to nickel and cobalt, which are commonly used in current cathode materials. Ju Li states, “Manganese is at least five times less expensive than nickel, and about 30 times less expensive than cobalt.” This cost efficiency is crucial as the world seeks to establish renewable energy infrastructures for a low- or no-carbon future.

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Batteries play a vital role in the transition to renewable energy, essential for decarbonizing transportation and addressing the intermittency of wind and solar power. The researchers emphasize that the high costs and scarcity of traditional materials could hinder efforts to scale electric storage capacity.

The study also addresses challenges associated with disordered rock salt cathodes, particularly oxygen mobility, which can lead to material degradation. By incorporating phosphorus into the structure, the team has developed a method to stabilize the oxygen, enhancing both capacity and stability.

Looking ahead, the research team aims to explore new fabrication methods to improve the morphology and scalability of the DRXPS material. Huang notes that current synthesis methods yield non-uniform particle sizes, which limits scalability. Future studies will investigate alternative synthesis techniques and the potential to reduce carbon content in the electrode, which could increase the practical energy density of the battery.

This research was supported by funding from the Honda Research Institute USA Inc. and the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, utilizing resources from the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

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