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American scientists have developed a battery with an electrolyte made of wood – it provides a record conductivity
What’s going on
- Scientists at Brown University and the University of Maryland have created a solid electrolyte battery based on cellulose nanofibers found in wood. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Nature.
- During development, the researchers combined wood polymer tubes with copper to form a solid ionic conductor that has a conductivity similar to that of ceramic and is approximately 10 to 100 times better than other polymer ion conductors.
- It is noted that the wood-based electrolyte bends well and absorbs energy during the charging cycle.
- The team emphasizes that the addition of copper creates space between the cellulose polymer chains to form “ionic superhighways,” allowing lithium ions to move at record efficiency.
- Due to the thinness and flexibility of the material, it is expected to better withstand battery cycling.
- In addition, the use of natural materials will help reduce the overall negative impact of battery production on the environment.
What does it mean
Current lithium batteries typically use a liquid electrolyte to carry ions between two electrodes, but scientists see promise in the development of solid alternatives such as those based on wood. This is primarily because the volatile liquids used in lithium batteries carry a risk of fire if the device is short circuited and can contribute to the formation of dendrites that reduce performance. Meanwhile, solid electrolytes can be made from non-flammable materials, which will reduce such risks.
With the rapid development of electric vehicles, solid electrolyte batteries could become the next generation technology, with automakers such as Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen conducting research in this industry.
It should be noted that wood is not the only material for solid electrolytes. Previously, a group of scientists proposed a “solid” alternative to ceramic-based liquid electrolytes, which was expected to be the fundamental safety solution for lithium-ion batteries. And in 2020, Ion Storage Systems has developed a strong and dense ceramic electrolyte only about 10 micrometers thick, offering a high level of resistance.