Innovative battery that can withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius

A team of researchers has developed a new generation of lithium metal batteries that could provide greater safety and longer life at high temperatures.

Batteries have become an essential part of everyday life, but there are concerns about safety, short life and insufficient energy density in the batteries used today, due to their use of liquid electrolytes.

Furthermore, batteries that can operate at extreme temperatures are needed to meet industrial requirements and for other specific functions, which has led researchers to look for solid electrolytes suitable for use with lithium metal anodes (known for their high theoretical specific energy capacity).

The research team, led by Professor Dong Myong Shen, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has fabricated microcrack-free polymer electrolytes, which are integral to these batteries and promise longer life and enhanced safety at high temperatures, through a straightforward one-step reaction, showing remarkable features including non-flammability.

The new innovation results in lithium metal batteries acting as safe, long-cycle energy storage devices at high temperatures, maintaining 92.7% capacity and 99.867% average efficiency over 450 cycles at 100°C.

“We believe this innovation opens the door to new battery chemistries that could revolutionize high-temperature rechargeable batteries, with an emphasis on safety and longevity,” said Dr. Jenny Gao, the study’s first author.

“Apart from applications in high temperature scenarios, microcrack-free electrolyte films also have the potential to enable fast charging,” he continued.

Professor Shen added that this innovation could allow electric cars to be recharged while drinking a cup of coffee, which represents a major advance towards a clean energy future.

The results were published in the journal Science Advances.