Japanese researchers at Yokohama National University (YNU) have developed a manganese-based battery for electric vehicles (EVs), achieving an energy density of 820 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). This exceeds the performance of current nickel and cobalt (NiCo) batteries, which reach 750 Wh/kg, while lithium-based batteries only deliver 500 Wh/kg.
The team’s work offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to NiCo batteries, whose scarcity and high cost pose challenges as EV adoption grows globally.
Researchers are focusing on using manganese in the battery anode, mainly using LiMnO2 (lithium manganese dioxide) as a material. Common challenges with manganese, such as poor electrode performance and voltage decay, are reduced by using a monoclinic system, a specific crystal structure.
This system facilitates the transition from phase to phase like spinel, greatly improving the performance of the battery. By synthesizing nanostructured LiMnO2 with a high surface area, the team achieved high recoverable capacity and excellent charge rate capability, making it suitable for EV applications.
Another major improvement is the absence of voltage decay in this manganese-based battery, a problem that has previously affected the performance of previous manganese applications. While the potential for manganese leaching remains, the researchers aim to address this with a highly concentrated electrolyte solution and lithium phosphate coating.
This innovation provides a competitive and environmentally friendly alternative to existing EV battery technology. The simplicity and low cost of the integration method further enhances its commercial potential. The findings, published in ACS Central Science, highlight the team’s contribution to the development of sustainable EV battery technology with promising implications for the future of electric mobility.
Filed . Read more about Battery, Electric Vehicles and Japan.
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