Fast News About Batteries | Researchers Develop Fire-Resistant and Explosion-Proof Triple-Layer Lithium Battery

A research team has developed a lithium metal battery that utilizes a triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte, significantly enhancing fire safety and extending service life. This study holds promise for applications in various fields, including electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems. The research was published in the journal "Small."

Traditional solid polymer electrolyte batteries suffer from poor performance due to structural limitations, which hinder optimal electrode contact. These issues also fail to eliminate dendrite formation, where lithium grows in tree-like structures during repeated charging and discharging cycles. Dendrites are a critical issue because irregular lithium growth can disrupt battery connections, potentially leading to fires and explosions. Therefore, the research team developed an electrolyte with a triple-layer structure to address these problems. Each layer serves a different function, greatly improving the battery's safety and efficiency. The electrolyte includes decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) to prevent ignition, zeolite to enhance the mechanical strength of the electrolyte, and a high concentration of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) to facilitate rapid lithium ion movement.

The triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte features a robust middle layer that improves the mechanical strength of the battery, while its soft outer surface ensures excellent electrode contact, promoting easy movement of lithium ions. This allows lithium ions to move faster, increasing the rate of energy transfer and effectively preventing dendrite formation.

Experiments showed that the battery developed by the research team retained about 87.9% of its performance after 1000 charge-discharge cycles, compared to the typical retention rate of 70%-80% for traditional batteries, indicating a significant improvement in durability.

It also self-extinguishes in case of fire, greatly reducing the risk of fire hazards. This battery is expected to be applied in various fields, ranging from small devices like smartphones and wearable equipment to electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.

Dr. Kim stated that this research is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the commercialization of lithium metal batteries using solid polymer electrolytes, while providing enhanced stability and efficiency for energy storage devices.

The article is excerpted from "Two-wheeled Vehicle Review".