Without changing the chemistry, but merely 'restructuring' the internal structure, researchers have found a way to make batteries more powerful and faster. The new approach has already shown nearly a twofold increase in capacity.
Researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have proposed a new method for creating electrodes for energy storage systems that could significantly improve the performance of batteries and supercapacitors. Instead of changing the chemical composition of materials, they focused on engineering the structure — creating an optimized three-dimensional architecture using 3D printing.
The problem with modern energy storage devices is that increasing the thickness of the electrodes does indeed enhance their capacity, but at the same time, it hinders the movement of ions within the material. As a result, part of the volume ceases to participate effectively in operation, creating so-called 'dead zones,' and the charging and discharging speeds decrease.
The new development addresses this very issue. The scientists created an interwoven 3D structure that shortens the path for ions, increases the active surface area, and makes charge distribution more uniform. This allows for more efficient use of the material without sacrificing operational speed.
According to the researchers, this approach allows for nearly doubling the capacity of the electrodes without compromising charging speed and longevity.
As a result, they managed to nearly double the capacity without losing charging speed and durability. Moreover, such electrodes withstood over 7500 cycles without noticeable wear.
The researchers believe that this approach could serve as a foundation for next-generation batteries — from electric vehicle batteries to energy storage systems for renewable sources and portable electronics.
