Stabilizing lithium-ion batteries: The vanadium touch
As demand surges for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries need to deliver higher energy densities at lower costs. While conventional cathode materials like LiFePO4 and Li-Ni-Co-Mn-O are widely used, they often fail to balance performance with affordability. Lithium-rich manganese oxides (LRMOs) have emerged as a potential alternative due to their high capacity and cobalt-free composition. However, their low initial Coulombic efficiency and rapid voltage decay have limited their broader application. Addressing these challenges requires deeper research to stabilize LRMOs for widespread commercial use.
In September, 2024, a team from Guangdong University of Technology, led by Dong Luo and Chenyu Liu, published a study (DOI: 10.26599/EMD.2024.9370039) in Energy Materials and Devices. that marks a significant advancement in lithium-ion battery technology. Their research demonstrates how treating lithium-rich cathode materials with NH4VO3 results in a vanadium-doped spinel-layered structure that enhances both initial Coulombic efficiency and voltage stability. This simple yet effective modification represents a major step toward improving the sustainability and performance of high-energy lithium-ion batteries.
The study addresses two long-standing issues in LRMO cathodes: low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and rapid voltage decay. The research team employed a hydrothermal treatment using NH4VO3, which introduced vanadium to the cathode surface, forming a V-doped spinel-layered structure. This innovative structure improved lithium-ion diffusion and reduced surface interface reactions, thereby stabilizing the oxygen redox process. Notably, the ICE jumped from 74.4% to 91.6%, surpassing the threshold required for commercialization. In addition to the significant boost in efficiency, the cathode also demonstrated impressive voltage stability, with a minimal decay of only 0.47 mV per cycle over 200 cycles. This improvement is linked to the suppression of irreversible oxygen release and the formation of strong V-O bonds, which reinforce the material’s structural stability. By addressing these critical challenges, the study highlights a promising approach to enhancing the performance and lifespan of LRMO cathodes, making them more suitable for high-energy applications.
Commenting on the research, lead scientist Professor Dong Luo stated, “Our findings offer a practical and highly effective method for tackling the persistent challenges of low Coulombic efficiency and voltage decay in lithium-rich cathodes. By incorporating vanadium, we’ve significantly improved redox stability and voltage performance, paving the way for next-generation lithium-ion batteries to meet the growing energy needs of sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.”
The V-doped lithium-rich cathode holds strong potential for applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and consumer electronics, where battery efficiency and longevity are paramount. The improved efficiency and stability not only promise to lower costs by eliminating cobalt but also enhance overall battery performance. As this technology scales, it could lead to more affordable and sustainable energy solutions, accelerating the global shift towards cleaner, more efficient power sources.
About Energy Materials and Devices
Energy Materials and Devices is launched by Tsinghua University, published quarterly by Tsinghua University Press, exclusively available via SciOpen, aiming at being an international, single-blind peer-reviewed, open-access and interdisciplinary journal in the cutting-edge field of energy materials and devices. It focuses on the innovation research of the whole chain of basic research, technological innovation, achievement transformation and industrialization in the field of energy materials and devices, and publishes original, leading and forward-looking research results, including but not limited to the materials design, synthesis, integration, assembly and characterization of devices for energy storage and conversion etc.
About SciOpen
SciOpen is an open access resource of scientific and technical content published by Tsinghua University Press and its publishing partners. SciOpen provides end-to-end services across manuscript submission, peer review, content hosting, analytics, identity management, and expert advice to ensure each journal’s development. By digitalizing the publishing process, SciOpen widens the reach, deepens the impact, and accelerates the exchange of ideas.
Journal: Energy Materials and Devices
DOI: 10.26599/EMD.2024.9370039
Article Title: V-doped Co-free Li-rich layered oxide with enhanced oxygen redox reversibility for excellent voltage stability and high initial Coulombic efficiency
Article Publication Date: 30-Sep-2024
All latest news from the category: Power and Electrical Engineering
This topic covers issues related to energy generation, conversion, transportation and consumption and how the industry is addressing the challenge of energy efficiency in general.
innovations-report provides in-depth and informative reports and articles on subjects ranging from wind energy, fuel cell technology, solar energy, geothermal energy, petroleum, gas, nuclear engineering, alternative energy and energy efficiency to fusion, hydrogen and superconductor technologies.
Newest articles
World’s smallest molecular machine
… reversible sliding motion in ammonium-linked ferrocene. Researchers stabilized ferrocene molecules on a flat substrate for the first time, creating an electronically controllable sliding molecular machine. Artificial molecular machines, nanoscale…
Towards the control of chemical reactions
Overcoming one of the challenges of quantum mechanics: A major result in quantum mechanics has been achieved: for the first time, the temporal evolution of a quantum system has been…
Planets form through domino effect
New radio astronomy observations of a planetary system in the process of forming show that once the first planets form close to the central star, these planets can help shepherd…