Polymer sponge lining could double life of lithium ion batteries

This is the claim of researchers from Penn State University whose findings have been published in Nature Energy.

"This project aims to develop the next generation of metal batteries," said Donghai Wang, professor of mechanical engineering and the principal investigator of the project. "Lithium metal has been tried in batteries for decades, but there are some fundamental issues that inhibit their advancement."

Fast-charging scenarios – such as with electric vehicles – put lithium ion (Li) batteries under additional strain that leaves them vulnerable to dendritic growth, which are needle-like formations that can reduce cycle life and potentially cause catastrophic safety issues.

"Our approach was to use a polymer on the interface of Li metal," Wang said. The material is said to act as a porous sponge that not only promotes ion transfer but also inhibits deterioration.

"This allowed the metal plating to be free of dendrites, even at low temperatures and fast charge conditions," he said.