Who knew that the fabric in your wardrobe could hold the key to more efficient energy storage?
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia have found a way to incorporate nylon into battery design, leading to higher performance and improved safety.
This new approach could revolutionize energy storage solutions while reducing costs.
To improve lithium-metal battery performance, researchers often use additives to stabilize battery interfaces and reduce inefficiencies.
The KAUST research team has now discovered that nylon, a polymer commonly found in clothing, can act as an effective additive when dissolved in a mild lithium solution. Unlike previous methods that relied on harsh solvents, this innovative approach allows nylon to dissolve in milder conditions, making it a safer and more efficient option for battery enhancement.
“Polymers have always been difficult to dissolve in common battery electrolytes. We did an intensive study of the chemical properties and modified the solvation structure and interactions,” explained Zhiming Zhao, a postdoctoral scientist at KAUST and one of the lead researchers.
Dr. Zhao and his team found that incorporating nylon resulted in lithium-metal batteries that were more efficient, had longer lifespans, and exhibited fewer parasitic reactions.
Their study examined the chemistry behind nylon-lithium interactions, particularly focusing on key molecular bonds that made this enhancement possible.
Lithium batteries are widely used today due to their high energy density and lightweight design. These batteries power everything from smartphones and laptops to space technology. However, there are two main types of lithium batteries: lithium-ion and lithium-metal.
Lithium-ion batteries are the ones commonly found in everyday electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones.
Meanwhile, lithium-metal batteries offer even greater energy density and have applications in robotics, transportation, and other advanced technologies.
Despite their advantages, lithium-metal batteries have struggled with safety and longevity issues due to the presence of hazardous materials and unwanted side reactions, known as parasitic reactions, that degrade their performance.
A step toward safer and more affordable energy storage
Professor Husam Alshareef, Chair of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies (CREST), highlighted the broader impact of this discovery.
“My research team is dedicated to building renewable energy and storage solutions such as higher energy density and safer batteries to accelerate decarbonization adoption in the Kingdom. This was a discovery that promises cheaper and safer additives and demonstrates the benefits of basic scientific research.”
By using a familiar and cost-effective material like nylon, KAUST researchers have unlocked new possibilities for lithium-metal batteries, making them more viable for widespread use.
This discovery could lead to safer, longer-lasting, and more affordable energy storage solutions, benefiting industries ranging from consumer electronics to transportation.
The studies were published in ACS Energy Letters and Energy & Environmental Science.
