Japanese researchers have developed a new manganese-based lithium battery with an energy density of up to 820Wh/kg

On August 27, researchers from Yokohama National University in Japan demonstrated a new type of electric vehicle battery that is expected to replace nickel-cobalt batteries. The battery uses manganese as the negative electrode material and has the advantages of high energy density, low cost and sustainability.

Traditionally, electric vehicle manufacturers have favored nickel-cobalt batteries because they have a higher energy density and can provide a longer driving range. However, nickel-cobalt resources are scarce and expensive, and as electric vehicles become more popular, these batteries will become unsustainable.

According to IT Home, although lithium-ion batteries are the preferred rechargeable batteries for most electronic devices, their low energy density limits their application in electric vehicles. In order to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries, researchers have been constantly exploring new materials and technologies.

Manganese-based lithium batteries, such as LiMnO2, have also been widely studied. However, their practical applications are limited due to their poor electrode performance. Researchers at Yokohama National University in Japan have solved this problem in a recent study.

The researchers conducted in-depth studies on various forms of LiMnO2 using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical methods, and found that the monoclinic layered structure can promote the structural transformation of LiMnO2 to the spinel phase. The phase transition of LiMnO2 can improve the performance of electrode materials. Without the phase transition, the performance of LiMnO2 electrodes will be below the optimal level.

"Based on this discovery, we directly synthesized nanostructured LiMnO2 with a monoclinic layered structure and a high surface area using a simple solid-state reaction," researcher Yabuuchi Naoaki said in a press release. The reaction has no intermediate steps and can be synthesized directly from two components through a calcination process.

Test results show that the energy density of batteries using LiMnO2 electrodes reached 820 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), while the energy density of nickel-based batteries was 750 Wh/kg and the energy density of lithium-based batteries was even lower, at only 500 Wh/kg.

Previous studies using manganese have reported that batteries can suffer from voltage decay, a drop in voltage output over time that can degrade the performance of electronic devices. However, the researchers did not observe this phenomenon in batteries using LiMnO2 electrodes.

Manganese dissolution may still be an issue, which the researchers plan to address using a highly concentrated electrolyte solution and a lithium phosphate coating.

The researchers believe their findings contribute to the development of a new type of battery that is competitive with existing products and is sustainable and environmentally friendly to produce. They look forward to commercializing their technology and applying it in the electric vehicle industry.

The research results were published in the journal ACS Central Science.