Researchers from Swansea University, in collaboration with Wuhan University of Technology and Shenzhen University, have developed pioneering techniques for manufacturing large-scale graphene current collectors. Courtesy of Swansea University
Researchers from Swansea University, in collaboration with Wuhan University of Technology and Shenzhen University, have developed a pioneering technique for manufacturing large-scale graphene current collectors.
This groundbreaking technology is expected to significantly improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and solve critical challenges in energy storage technology.
The study, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, details the first successful protocol to produce defect-free graphene foils on a commercial scale. These foils have exceptional thermal conductivity of up to 1,400.8 W m–1 K–1, roughly 10 times higher than traditional copper or aluminum current collectors used in LIBs.
“This is a major step forward for battery technology,” said co-first author Dr. Lui Tan from Swansea University. “Our method enables us to produce graphene current collectors at a scale and quality that can be easily integrated into commercial battery manufacturing. This not only improves the safety of the battery by efficiently managing heat, but also increases its energy density and lifetime.”
One of the most pressing concerns in the development of high-energy LIBs, especially those for use in electric vehicles, is thermal runaway – a dangerous scenario in which excessive heat can cause the battery to fail, often leading to fire or explosion. These graphene current collectors are designed to mitigate this risk by efficiently dissipating heat and preventing the exothermic reactions that lead to thermal runaway.
“Our densely aligned graphene structure provides a strong barrier against the formation of flammable gases and prevents oxygen from penetrating into the battery cell, which is crucial to avoid catastrophic failure,” explained Dr. Yang Jinrong, co-first author from Shenzhen University.
The newly developed process is not just a lab success: it is a scalable solution capable of producing graphene foils ranging in length from a few meters to several kilometers. As a key example demonstrating its potential, the researchers produced a 17-micrometer-thick, 200-meter-long graphene foil that remained highly conductive even after being folded more than 100,000 times, making it ideal for flexible electronics and other advanced applications.
The new approach also enables the production of graphene foils of customizable thickness, potentially leading to even more efficient and safer batteries.
This innovation could have far-reaching implications for the future of energy storage, including in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, where safety and efficiency are paramount.
The international research team, led by Professor Liqiang Mai and Professor Daping He from Wuhan University of Technology, Dr Jinlong Yang from Shenzhen University and Dr Rui Tan from Swansea University, are continuing to refine the process with ongoing efforts to reduce the thickness of the graphene foil and further enhance its mechanical properties, and are also investigating this new material in applications beyond lithium-ion batteries, such as redox flow batteries and sodium-ion batteries, with support from Professor Serena Margodonna's group at Swansea University.
Further information: Lun Li et al., “Large-scale current collectors control heat transfer and improve battery safety,” Nature Chemical Engineering (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44286-024-00103-8
Courtesy of Swansea University
Citation: Scalable graphene technology could significantly improve battery safety and performance (August 29, 2024) Retrieved August 29, 2024 from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-08-scalable-graphene-technology-significantly-battery.html
This document is subject to copyright. It may not be reproduced without written permission, except for fair dealing for the purposes of personal study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
