University of Alberta wants to create a new generation of nano-silicon-based lithium batteries

University of Alberta chemists aim to create a new generation of silicon-based lithium batteries, which have a charging capacity 10 times higher than current battery cell products.

According to foreign media reports, University of Alberta (University of Alberta) chemists aim to create a new generation of silicon-based lithium batteries. Compared with current battery cell products, their charging The capacity (gecapacity) has doubled by 10 times.

University of Alberta chemist and Professor of Nano Energy Materials Canada Research Chair (CanadaResearchChair) Jillian Buriak said: 'We want to conduct a variety of tests to see silicon nanoparticles of different sizes. Different effects on the internal fragmentation of the battery.'

For large-capacity batteries, silicon has a greater application potential because the material has abundant reserves, which is 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 divided silicon nanoparticles into four different sizes, and evenly dispersed them in highly conductive graphene aerogels (highly conductive graphene aerogels), the latter with nano Grade 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 lithium alloying and dealloying (alloying and dealloying). Breathes'.'

The research shows that this technology can be used in various applications that rely on battery energy storage devices. Imagine if the user’s electric car’s on-board battery is the same size as Tesla’s battery, but 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.