Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have made significant progress in electric vehicle technology by developing a new electrolyte solution that can drastically reduce battery charging times to 15 minutes.
The team, led by Professor Choi Nam-soon in collaboration with Professor Hong Seung-beom from the KAIST Department of Materials Science and Engineering, introduced an electrolyte solvent known as isobutyronitrile (isoBN) as an alternative to the commonly used ethylene carbonate-based electrolytes. This work was published in the international journal Advanced Materials.
The adoption of EVs is on the rise, and one of the main challenges in the industry is improving battery charging speeds. Traditional lithium-ion batteries are hindered by their highly viscous ethylene carbonate-based electrolytes, which slow down the movement of lithium ions and create a thick interfacial layer on the anode's surface. This not only slows down charging but also leads to the accumulation of metallic lithium on the anode during charging, reducing the battery's lifespan and increasing the risk of fire.
IsoBN's lower viscosity (55% less than ethylene carbonate) and higher ionic conductivity (54% greater) facilitate more efficient lithium ion movement within the battery, which not only allows for rapid charging within 15 minutes but also retains 94.2% capacity after 300 charge/discharge cycles. Moreover, the use of isoBN prevents the accumulation of lithium on the anode, addressing key issues related to battery lifespan and safety.
For the first time, the research team was able to visualize the movement of lithium ions using atomic force microscopy, shedding light on how electrolyte composition affects the battery's internal structure and performance. This breakthrough offers solutions to longstanding problems associated with EV batteries, such as extended charging times and lifespan reductions. The isoBN solvent is also expected to perform well in extremely low temperatures, up to -10°C, ensuring efficient battery use even in cold climates.
Professor Choi emphasized that this new nitrile-based electrolyte technology marks significant progress toward accelerating the adoption of EVs by overcoming previous limitations related to charging times. The potential applications of this fast-charging technology extend beyond EVs to include energy storage systems, drones and the aerospace industry, promising broad impacts across various fields.
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