This new material can charge EV batteries in seconds
What's the story
In a major breakthrough for electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, Chinese researchers have developed a new material that cuts down charging time without sacrificing energy capacity or battery lifespan.
The material, called niobium tungsten oxide (NbWO), improves ion mobility, allowing lithium-ion batteries to be charged faster.
The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Here's all about it.
Fast-charging potential
The material can charge lithium-ion batteries in a minute
The newly developed material, NbWO, has the potential for rapid charging, which may allow for charging lithium-ion batteries within one minute under specific conditions.
This rapid charging capability comes from a unique rate-dependent lattice relaxation process associated with the Jahn-Teller effect.
Using advanced electron microscopy techniques, the research team learned how NbWO's crystal structure responds differently at different charging speeds, affecting lithium-ion arrangement and distribution.
Structural response
NbWO's crystal structure responds differently at various charging speeds
The researchers discovered that during slow charging, lithium ions settle in certain patterns in the NbWO material, resulting in structural distortions.
However, at high charging rates, these ions spread more randomly across the material.
This distinctive property of NbWO contributes to its ability to charge quickly without significant sacrifice to energy capacity or battery lifespan.
Interface engineering
Researchers suggest interface engineering strategy for fast charging
To improve the fast-charging capabilities of NbWO, the research team proposed an interface engineering strategy.
They recommended moving desolvated lithium ions around the NbWO surfaces to openings of oriented tunnels where Li+ intercalation is more favorable with a low energy barrier.
This could potentially break the bottleneck for fast charging in NbWO materials, further improving their efficiency and speed.
Prototype results
Enhanced material maintains high energy density in prototype testing
The modified material, called rGO/Nb₁₆W₅O₅₅, performed remarkably well in prototype testing. It charged at 80C, hitting 116 milliamp-hours per gram in just 45 seconds - 68.5% of its theoretical capacity.
These batteries made with the improved material retained 77% of their initial capacity after 500 rapid charging cycles.
The material also exhibited high energy density, providing up to 406Wh per kilogram at lower power requirements and 186Wh per kilogram at high power outputs.