Lithium iron phosphate battery for good performance?

September 30, 2021

On November 1st, a new study has already answered why the use of lithium iron phosphate as a battery anode usually results in battery performance exceeding expectations: the secret is derived from its internal defects.

Material scientist Ming Tang said in a press release: “We all know this material is very effective, but scientists have been arguing about the real cause of it. This material is not so good in many ways, but sometimes it will Beyond people's expectations."

The researchers found that during the manufacture of lithium iron phosphate, some of its atoms in the crystal lattice had a misalignment called a reversed position defect. Scientists discovered through research that this kind of antipodal defect may be able to answer the admirable performance of this material. This defect allows the cathode material to release and collect lithium ions from a larger surface area.

Prior to this, scientists assumed that lithium ions could only move in a single direction, thus limiting the surface size of materials that could release and absorb lithium ions. Microscopic imaging technology and computer models allow scientists to observe the movement of ions during battery charging. Scientists' analysis shows that the presence of anti-location defects has caused ions to move in a new direction.

This defect effectively increases the surface active area of the lithium iron phosphate nanorods, allowing the lithium ions between the positive electrode and the electrolyte to propagate more efficiently. Tang stated: “The majority of battery cathodes have been made into the shape of thin disks to increase the unidirectional movement of lithium ions. Our findings have changed our view on the optimal shape design of lithium iron phosphate. The existence of such defects makes lithium ions Being able to move in multiple directions means that we are completely inaccurate in design criteria that maximize performance."

Even experts in battery research do not fully understand the electrochemical performance and processes of lithium ion batteries and their components. But as more scientists come to conceive and analyze these electrochemical processes and performances, we will be able to improve them more and make the performance of lithium batteries as efficient as possible. (passer)

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