Archive for February 3rd, 2010

Lithium - air batteries decryption

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

High capacity Lithium - Batteries Air is not a new concept, because it lacks the popularity there are fatal flaws, the Japan Research Institute to overcome this difficulty, but in order to achieve the commercial, you may also need 10 years.

Carbon reduction, for human welfare, it is certainly not easy, but for the global automotive industry is a difficult task.

Is well known, lithium-ion VGP-BPS8 batteries are widely used in mobile phones and laptops, have also already the next generation of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles of choice. It is the density of car batteries than any other higher power is more appropriate, but also more expensive, are subject to battery capacity, recharge the driving range is still far enough. Announcement of upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Volt hybrid car If you use only batteries, can travel 40 km.

Although there is still room for improvement, but the potential of lithium-ion batteries are still limited. Generally accepted that to achieve the popularity of electric vehicles, energy density required to reach the current level of about 6 ~ 7 times. So, in theory, is far greater than the energy density of lithium batteries, lithium ion batteries because the battery seemed to worry. While using an organic solvent, but it is a brand new greatly increase the energy density of batteries.

Lithium - Battery Air is not a new concept. Because the positive use of oxygen in the air when the active substance, in theory, the ability of positive density is infinite, can increase capacity. In addition, if the use of lithium metal anode, the theoretical capacity as lithium-ion rechargeable VGP-BPS8A battery to improve some.

But why - Lithium batteries air to date none of the popularity? Because it was fatally flawed, that the reaction products of the solid lithium oxide (Li2O) accumulate in the anode, so that the electrolyte had been cut off all contact with air, leading to discharge stops.

In February 2009, the Japan Institute of Industrial Science and Technology interface technology research department of energy energy technology research team leader Zhou Hao Shen, and the Japan Society for the Promotion (JSPS) for researchers Yonggang foreign co developed a special new building high capacity lithium-air battery.

Will be divided into two types of them through the electrolyte to solve the above problems. In the negative (lithium) side of the use of organic electrolytes in the cathode (air) side of the use of water-based electrolytes. Located between two electrolyte lithium-ion only through the solid electrolyte membrane, to divide them. This will prevent the mixture of electrolytes, and promote the battery react.

Cathode is used in combination with the electrolyte containing organic electrolyte lithium salt. Although we can not abandon the organic solvent, but it limits its use. Water based alkaline electrolyte cathode using water soluble gel, and after the catalyst-based micro to the formation of oxides of carbon and low-cost combination of the positive.
Lithium - drums air, because the landfill is not the reaction of Li2O solid, but readily dissolves in the electrolyte aqueous LiOH (lithium hydroxide). Accumulation of lithium oxide in the air after the electrode does not lead to employment was terminated. The water and nitrogen through the solid electrolyte and not next door, so there are no places with a risk lithium metal anode reaction. In addition, responsible, if the configuration of specific positive charge, but also conductive to prevent charge-induced corrosion and aging of the air electrode.

The experiments show that, 0.1A / g discharge rate, the discharge capacity of about 9000mAh / g, whereas the previous lithium - battery discharge air capacity of only 700 ~ 3000mAh / g, we can say for a substantial increase in capacity.

In addition, if the use of the aqueous solution to replace the water-soluble gel can be in the air to 0.1A / g discharge rate continuously for 20 days, the discharge capacity of about 50000 mAh / g (air - Polar mass unit), exceeding the original figures. As the capacity of the lithium metal, lithium-ion battery had a number high, if the value of a total of more lithium-ion rechargeable batteries high double digits.

Now, thanks to a high performance aqueous solution, and usability even better on the gel, scientists whether the future need to consider which of the two, one for development.
“Automotive Business Review,” understand that this technology could also be considered with a simple to use rechargeable batteries of different ways. If you do not recharge the battery, but car to replace the basis of water-based cathode electrolyte, boxes maps, etc. to provide the anode of lithium metal, the car waiting time can be achieved without cost, moving immediately.

In addition, through recycling of used water-based electrolyte, lithium metal, electrical means to regenerate, but also continue to serve the cycle of the anode of the fuel cell to be used, to avoid further pollution. Lithium - Lithium batteries can say that the new fuel cell as fuel.

Scientists believe that the performance of lithium-air batteries, lithium-ion batteries 10 times, can provide the same energy and gasoline. Lithium battery air to absorb oxygen from the air load, so the battery can be smaller, lighter. Many laboratories worldwide are exploring this technology, but no major breakthrough to achieve the business may also need 10 years.