A team of researchers led by Georgia Tech has created a new, affordable cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, potentially revolutionizing electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.
An innovative and cost-effective battery cathode material, developed by a multi-institutional research team led by Georgia Tech’s Hailong Chen promises to significantly enhance the performance and affordability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This breakthrough has the potential to transform the electric vehicle (EV) industry and bolster large-scale energy storage solutions.
“For a long time, people have been looking for a lower-cost, more sustainable alternative to existing cathode materials. I think we’ve got one,” Chen, an associate professor of materials science and engineering, in a news release.
The new cathode material, iron chloride (FeCl3), is far cheaper than traditional cathode materials, costing just 1-2% as much, while still providing the same electrical capacity. Cathode materials are pivotal in determining a battery’s capacity, energy density, and efficiency, significantly influencing its overall performance, longevity, and cost-effectiveness.
“Our cathode can be a game-changer,”added Chen. “It would greatly improve the EV market — and the whole lithium-ion battery market.”
Lithium-ion batteries, first introduced by Sony in the early 1990s, revolutionized personal electronics and later powered the surge in electric vehicle development. However, the high cost of current LIBs, driven by expensive metals like cobalt and nickel, accounts for about half the expense of an EV, limiting the market for cleaner, electric-powered transportation.
The new FeCl3 cathode, when combined with a solid electrolyte and lithium metal anode, could reduce the overall cost of battery systems by 30-40%, making EVs significantly more affordable. All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which replace flammable liquid electrolytes with safer solid alternatives, offer improved energy capacity and reliability.
Given the unique compatibility of FeCl3 with chloride-based solid electrolytes, Chen’s team’s solution represents a major advancement in making all-solid-state batteries commercially viable. The team’s research, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, outlines the promising performance of the new cathode, which surpasses that of traditional materials like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) in operational voltage.
Chen’s journey with FeCl3 dates back to 2019, spurred by challenges encountered when pairing traditional oxide-based cathodes with solid electrolytes. The discovery of FeCl3’s suitability for lithium-ion storage and transport heralded a new epoch in battery technology.
“We found a candidate (FeCl3) worth trying, as its crystal structure is potentially suitable for storing and transporting Li ions, and fortunately, it functioned as we expected,” added Chen.
In initial tests, the FeCl3 cathode demonstrated comparable or superior performance to more expensive alternatives, promising a more sustainable and less resource-intensive future for LIBs. The material consists solely of iron and chlorine, common and environmentally benign elements, unlike the toxic heavy metals used in conventional cathodes.
Looking forward, Chen’s team, collaborating with researchers from institutions like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Houston, continues to refine and understand the underlying mechanisms of FeCl3. They aim to perfect the technology in the lab while exploring pathways to scale-up and commercial implementation.
“This could not only make EVs much cheaper than internal combustion cars, but it provides a new and promising form of large-scale energy storage, enhancing the resilience of the electrical grid,” Chen added.
With commercial viability on the horizon, possibly within the next five years, Chen’s FeCl3 cathode innovation signals a transformative era for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, fostering an environmentally sustainable and economically feasible future.