A group of scientists has advanced energy storage technology significantly. They have created a brand-new method for making massive graphene current collectors.
According to a news release from the researchers, “this breakthrough promises to significantly enhance the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), addressing a critical challenge in energy storage technology.”
This invention is a critical step toward a future where renewable energy sources and electric cars will power society.
Researchers from Shenzhen University, Wuhan University of Technology, and Swansea University made up the team.
Improved performance and safety
This innovation offers a scalable process for producing graphene foils devoid of flaws. There is remarkable heat conductivity in these foils.
According to the press release, “These foils offer extraordinary thermal conductivity—up to 1,400.8 W m–1 K–1—nearly ten times higher than traditional copper and aluminum current collectors used in LIBs.”
Swansea University co-lead author Dr. Rui Tan said that their process produced graphene current collectors at a scale and quality that could be easily incorporated into the fabrication of commercial batteries.
“This not only increases energy density and longevity but also improves battery safety by effectively managing heat,” he continued.
Flexibility and scalability
These graphene foils can be produced in lengths ranging from meters to kilometers on a huge scale, as the researchers have shown.
They went so far as to produce a 200-meter-long graphene foil that remained highly electrically conductive even after more than 100,000 bends.
This adaptability creates opportunities for use in flexible electronics and other cutting-edge technology.
“With this new approach, graphene foils with customizable thicknesses can also be produced, potentially leading to even safer and more efficient batteries,” the researchers said.
Taking care of thermal runaway
Thermal runaway is a serious safety hazard that is immediately addressed by this improved heat dissipation capability.
To put things in perspective, thermal runaway is a hazardous chain reaction of overheating that can result in explosions, fires, and battery failure. Particularly with the high-energy LIBs used in electric vehicles, it poses a serious problem.
In order to reduce the possibility of thermal runaway and avoid excessive heat buildup, the graphene current collectors serve as an effective heat sink.
Dr. Jinlong Yang, co-lead author from Shenzhen University, stated, “Our dense, aligned graphene structure provides a robust barrier against the formation of flammable gases and prevents oxygen from permeating the battery cells, which is crucial for avoiding catastrophic failures.”
Extensive uses
This innovation has a wide range of ramifications. Better and safer batteries mean longer-lasting and more dependable electric cars, which help speed up the world’s shift to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
Moreover, improved energy storage capacities are essential for efficiently harvesting and utilizing clean energy sources in the renewable energy sector.
“This breakthrough may have significant effects on energy storage in the future, especially in electric cars and renewable energy systems where efficiency and safety are critical,” the news statement stated in its conclusion.
