University of Alberta plans to use nano-silicon materials to create new lithium batteries
According to foreign media reports, University of Alberta chemists aim to create a new generation of silicon-based lithium batteries, which have a charge capacity of 10 times higher than current battery cell products. .
Jillian Buriak, a chemist at the University of Alberta and Canada Research Chair in Nanoenergy Materials (Canada Research Chair), said: “We want to carry out a variety of tests to see different sizes of Silicon nanoparticles have different effects on the internal fragmentation of batteries.'
For large-capacity batteries, silicon has a greater application potential because the material has abundant reserves and relatively Compared with graphite, the silicon material in the battery absorbs more lithium ions. However, after many times of charging and discharging, silicon is prone to fragmentation or fracture, because the material itself expands and contracts after absorbing and releasing lithium ions, and it is prone to cracks.
According to current research, if silicon is made into nano-scale particles, threads or tubes, it will help prevent it from chipping. Buriak and his team wanted to understand the extent to which the volume of this type of structure needs to be in order to optimize the properties of silicon materials and minimize its adverse effects.
Researchers divide silicon nanoparticles into four different sizes, and disperse them evenly in highly conductive graphene aerogels, the latter With nano-scale pores, this structure can make up for the lack of silicon conductivity. They found that there are 3 billion nano-scale particles within a diameter of 1 meter, which can provide long-term stability after multiple charges and discharges.
Buriak explained: 'As the particle size shrinks, we find that the stress control is enhanced because it can be based on the alloying and dealloying of lithium. )'Breathes'.'
The research shows that this technology can be used in various applications that rely on battery energy storage devices. Imagine that if the size of a user’s electric car’s on-board battery is the same as that of a Tesla’s battery, its cruising range may be increased by 10 times, its charging time may be shortened to 1/10 of the previous, and the weight of the on-board battery is only 1/10 of the previous.
