Chinese scientists have figured out how to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries

A group of researchers from China has developed a technology that will restore the capacity of old lithium-ion batteries by adding new portions of lithium to them. This approach will significantly extend the service life of batteries, but at this stage the technology is only applicable on an industrial scale, for example, in energy storage systems.

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Aging of lithium-ion batteries is influenced by several factors, including the growth of the interphase layer of solid-state electrolyte on the anode, which absorbs lithium ions and increases resistance. Over time, this is compounded by electrode degradation and electrolyte breakdown, which generally leads to a decrease in battery capacity.

The usual solution to the problem of worn-out batteries is to replace them. However, Chinese scientists have taken a different approach to the issue. They used an AI-based algorithm and the laws of organic chemistry to create a special lithium-containing compound that releases lithium when it enters a battery with a certain voltage.

Using this technology, scientists were able to almost completely restore the capacity of a heavily degraded lithium iron phosphate battery that had lost 15% of its capacity. Overall, scientists believe that the technology they developed could potentially increase the service life of batteries by 12,000 to 16,000 charge and discharge cycles.

However, there are some nuances here. For example, the technology for adding lithium is only applicable to batteries of a certain design that will allow the lithium-containing substance to be pumped in. It is also unclear whether the technology will be relevant for consumer lithium-ion batteries, since they have a slightly different chemical composition than industrial batteries.

However, for large-scale energy storage systems, where getting the most out of expensive batteries is important, the ability to extend battery life by adding lithium is likely to not only cut costs but also make such systems more environmentally friendly. More details about the Chinese scientists’ research are published in the journal Nature.