Scientists at the University of Cambridge in the recent release to the "advanced functional materials," a paper describes the lithium-sulfur battery design. This battery is inspired by the human intestinal mucosa, the energy storage can reach the traditional lithium-ion battery 5 times.
In conventional lithium batteries, charged lithium ions move between the anode, the electrolyte, and the cathode. The crystal structure of the electrode will usually determine how much energy the battery has. Lithium-ion batteries use carbon electrodes can only carry 6 lithium-ion, thus limiting the energy storage capacity.
Lithium and sulfur reactions are different. By the so-called "multi-electron transport structure", in theory, the energy storage capacity of sulfur is much higher than the lithium-ion. However, as the battery discharges, lithium and sulfur react, sulfur will form polysulfide and enter the electrolyte, resulting in loss of active material in the battery.
The new design of the University of Cambridge researchers in the appearance of carbon electrodes on the growth of a layer of zinc oxide nanowires. The final structure is similar to human intestinal villi and can capture polysulfides. This will ensure the electrochemical properties of the material and achieve re-use.
However, this battery also has its own limitations, such as the number of times less than the level of rechargeable lithium battery. However, lithium-sulfur batteries have a higher energy density, each charge can be used for a longer time.
At present, this design is still in the proof-of-concept stage. If it is commercially available, it will bring a new generation of high-capacity battery.
"We're all connected to our electronics," says Dr. Paul Coxon, a professor of materials science and metallurgy at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the paper. "Ultimately, we're trying to get these devices to work better, Life is better.
