Fast-charging lithium-sulphur batteries on the horizon
Professor Shizhang Qiao
New research shows that the next generation of lithium-sulphur (Li||S) batteries may be capable of being charged in less than five minutes, instead of several hours as is currently the case.
The 成人大片鈥檚 Professor Shizhang Qiao, Chair of Nanotechnology, and Director, Centre for Materials in Energy and Catalysis, at the School of Chemical Engineering,鈥led a team which examined the sulphur reduction reaction (SRR) which is the pivotal process governing the charge-discharge rate of Li||S batteries.听
鈥淲e investigated various carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc during the SRR,鈥 said Professor Qiao who is an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow.
鈥淩eaction rates increased with higher polysulphide concentrations, as polysulphide serves as the reactive intermediates during SRR.鈥听
The team designed a nanocomposite electrocatalyst, comprising a carbon material and cobalt-zinc (CoZn) clusters.听
鈥淲hen the electrocatalyst CoZn is used in lithium-sulphur batteries, the resulting battery achieves an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 26120 W kgS-1,鈥 said Professor Qiao.听
鈥淥ur research shows a significant advancement, enabling lithium-sulphur batteries to achieve full charge/discharge in less than five minutes.鈥
High-power lithium-sulphur batteries are used in various devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
Current state-of-the-art lithium-sulphur batteries suffer from low charge-discharge rates, typically requiring several hours - typically from one to 10 hours - for a single full charge-discharge cycle.听
The team鈥檚 study, which is published in the journal , is the first comprehensive approach to tackling the problem of slow charge/discharge rates in lithium-sulphur batteries and has significant impact for scientists designing electrocatalyst materials and experts examining the reaction mechanisms of lithium-sulphur batteries.听
鈥淥ur breakthrough has the potential to revolutionise energy storage technologies and advance the development of high-performance battery systems for various applications,鈥 said Professor Qiao.听
The high-power capabilities of these batteries make them well-suited for applications requiring rapid charging and discharging, offering enhanced performance and reliability for both consumer electronics and large-scale energy storage solutions in grid applications.听
Media contacts:
Professor Shizhang Qiao,听Chair of Nanotechnology, Director, Centre for Materials in Energy and Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering, The 成人大片. Phone:听+61 (0)8 8313 6443,听Email:听s.qiao@adelaide.edu.au
Crispin Savage, Manager, Media and News, The 成人大片. Mobile: +61 (0)481 912 465. Email: crispin.savage@adelaide.edu.au