The next generation of batteries could take many forms. But one design that scientists have high hopes for involves using lithium metal. The reason is that it is a material with excellent energy density that could, for example, make a mobile phone work for days without recharging. From South Korea they have brought them a little closer to reality, designing a new electrolyte that can be controlled by external magnetic fields.
And what changes in a lithium metal battery compared to conventional ones? Well, use this material instead of the graphite and copper used in the anode of current lithium-ion batteries. In this way there would be smaller and lighter anodes, with a higher energy density. Speaking of electric cars, let them go further with each charge.
They are not being done for now as the researchers are seeing the development of dendrites, tentacle-like protrusions that appear on the anode, which cause the battery to fail and have a short lifespan. There are many different ways to try to solve this problem, such as the one offered by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology.
These scientists have opted to reinvent the electrolytic solution that transports ions between the anode and the cathode. They thought that if they improved the way the ions are transported, making the process faster and more homogeneous, they could nip the problem in the bud. They added magnetic nanoparticles to the electrolyte solution, making it sensitive to a magnetic change. The result is that the lithium nuclei are placed homogeneously and no dendrites are formed.
They have tested, yes. For now in a conceptual system, but they have shown that the battery remains stable after successive charging cycles. Hence, the team believes that their technology could be used to extend the useful life of lithium metal batteries… and beware, they believe that it can have the same effect applied to other electrolytes. No attempt has been made before to create a dynamic electrolyte using magnetic nanoparticles. And according to study author Professor Lee Hong-kyung: “It can be immediately applied to various electrochemical systems using liquid electrolytes.”