Innovative Porous Silicon Oxide Electrodes Address Battery Durability Challenges: Researchers
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Tokyo, Dec 14 (NationPress) A group of researchers from Doshisha University in Japan revealed on Saturday that porous silicon oxide electrodes represent a significant advancement towards sustainable energy storage.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are ubiquitous in modern technology. However, the existing battery architectures face serious limitations, such as low durability and reliance on toxic liquid electrolytes.
Although silicon-based all-solid-state batteries are theoretically more durable than standard LIBs, there remains an unresolved challenge before they can achieve widespread use.
Researchers noted that during charge and discharge cycles, the negative silicon electrode expands and contracts repeatedly.
This phenomenon induces significant mechanical stress at the interface between the electrode and the rigid solid electrolyte, ultimately leading to cracking, detachment, and a permanent decline in performance.
In a study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the team explored whether incorporating pores into a silicon oxide electrode could mitigate the cracking and peeling issues associated with the expansion and contraction of silicon electrodes.
Remarkably, the electrodes with high porosity demonstrated superior cycling performance compared to their non-porous counterparts, which experienced a substantial capacity reduction after cycling.
“We anticipate that the outcomes of our research will significantly contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, addressing climate change through reduced carbon emissions, as well as fostering economic growth and urban development,” stated Professor Takayuki Doi from Doshisha University.
Overall, the results from this study highlight how porous structures can be utilized to unlock the full potential of all-solid-state batteries.
Such energy storage systems are expected to be vital in guiding our transition towards sustainable societies, given their promising roles in both domestic and industrial-scale energy production, according to the researchers.
Further research will be essential to fully optimize the porous structure to achieve peak performance in all-solid-state batteries.
