The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking development in Li battery technology with the introduction of a new redox-active metal-organic hybrid electrode material called SKIER-5. This innovative material addresses the limitations of conventional graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries, particularly under freezing conditions.
Unlike graphite, SKIER-5 has demonstrated exceptional stability and performance in cold environments, with the ability to maintain its discharge capacity even at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The research team at KIER, led by Dr. Jungjoon Yoo, Dr. Kanghoon Yim, and Dr. Hyunuk Kim, has successfully developed this novel material, which shows promising potential as a superior alternative for various applications such as electric vehicles, drones, and ultra-small electronic devices.
One of the key highlights of SKIER-5 is its impressive discharge capacity, which is five times higher than that of graphite in subzero conditions. The material achieved a discharge capacity of 440 mAh/g, surpassing the 375 mAh/g of a graphite electrode at room temperature. Even after 1,600 charge-discharge cycles, the capacity increased by approximately 1.5 times, demonstrating exceptional stability and longevity compared to conventional graphite anodes.
The redox mechanism of SKIER-5 involves interactions between nickel ions, heteroatoms, and lithium ions to trigger redox reactions, resulting in increased electron storage and a higher discharge capacity. SKIER-5 has a lower minimum energy threshold for chemical reactions compared to graphite, allowing it to maintain stable performance in low-temperature environments where reaction rates typically decrease.
The operating principle of SKIER-5 has been validated using high flux X-ray analysis and first-principles calculations based on quantum chemistry. The research team confirmed the material’s crystalline structure and predicted lithium adsorption sites to estimate theoretical capacity and reaction voltage. The experimental results closely matched the predicted values, affirming the outstanding performance of SKIER-5 as a Li battery anode.
The development of SKIER-5 by KIER represents a significant advancement in Li battery technology, offering superior stability, discharge capacity, and longevity compared to conventional graphite anodes. With its potential applications in electric vehicles, drones, and small electronic devices, SKIER-5 paves the way for the next generation of high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
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