Korea Develops New Method to Increase Energy Density of EV Lithium Batteries

Korean scientists have recently uncovered a significant link between the performance of lithium-air batteries and the concentration of carbon dioxide. Their research suggests that Li₂CO₃, a compound formed during discharge, can be selectively produced based on the dielectric properties of the electrolyte used in these batteries. Furthermore, they confirmed that Li₂CO₃ is capable of undergoing reversible reactions during the charging and discharging cycles of a lithium-oxygen/carbon dioxide battery system. According to a report from China Nonferrous Metals Network on June 26, related findings were published in the *Journal of the American Chemical Society*. The researchers emphasize that understanding how CO₂ interacts with the electrolyte and affects the chemical behavior of lithium-air batteries is crucial for their future development. They also highlight that the potential to create a rechargeable lithium-oxygen/carbon dioxide battery using Li₂CO₃ offers a major advantage: reducing unwanted side reactions. Lithium-air batteries have a theoretical energy density of up to 3,500 Wh/kg, making them a promising candidate for next-generation electric vehicle power systems, potentially enabling longer driving ranges. These batteries operate using intercalation electrodes, where lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode during charging and reverse during discharging. Despite their potential, lithium-air batteries still face numerous challenges in commercialization, such as incomplete understanding of reaction mechanisms, unstable electrolyte performance, limited cycle life, and slow ion transport rates. These issues often lead to overloading and reduced efficiency. The research team pointed out that the effects of CO₂ on lithium-air batteries remain unclear, as most prior studies were conducted under normal atmospheric conditions where other air components had minimal impact. To fully assess the role of CO₂, they proposed creating controlled environments to test the influence of various gases, including nitrogen, argon, water, and carbon dioxide. They further explained that if moisture can be effectively removed via a waterproof membrane—since it's a major cause of electrolyte and anode degradation—carbon dioxide would likely have the strongest effect on the battery’s chemistry. In traditional lithium-air batteries, the cathode voltage is around 3 volts, but gases like argon and nitrogen cannot activate the electrochemical reaction. In contrast, CO₂, due to its inert nature, can participate in the reaction. The difference in chemical stability leads to the formation of Li₂O₂ under normal conditions, but in the presence of CO₂, this compound tends to convert into Li₂CO₃. This irreversible transformation limits the battery’s cycle life. Although CO₂ makes up only a small portion of the air, its high solubility (about 50 times that of oxygen) makes it highly relevant in battery reactions. To advance lithium-air battery technology, it’s essential to account for the impact of CO₂ and Li₂CO₃ on battery performance. Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Seoul National University have studied lithium-oxygen/carbon dioxide batteries under different electrolyte conditions, combining quantum mechanical simulations with experimental validation. Their findings revealed that low-dielectric electrolytes promote the formation of Li₂O₂, while high-dielectric electrolytes facilitate the production of Li₂CO₃. Surprisingly, they found that high-dielectric solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can make the Li₂CO₃ reaction reversible. This discovery is significant because, in environments containing CO₂, the formation of Li₂CO₃ is inevitable. However, the identification of materials that enable reversible reactions could greatly enhance the battery’s cycle stability and overall performance.

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