Cambridge University designed a new type of battery: lithium battery storage capacity of 5 times

According to foreign media reports, Cambridge University scientists recently published in the "Advanced Functional Materials" magazine describes a paper on the design of lithium-sulfur batteries. This battery is inspired by human intestinal mucosa, energy storage up to 5 times the traditional lithium-ion battery.

In conventional lithium batteries, charged lithium ions move between the anode, the electrolyte, and the cathode. The crystal structure of the electrode will usually determine how much of the battery's energy storage capacity. Carbon electrodes used in lithium-ion batteries can only carry six lithium-ion, which limits the energy storage capacity.

The reaction between lithium and sulfur is different. Through the so-called "multi-electron transport structure", in theory, sulfur storage capacity is much higher than the lithium ion. However, as the battery discharges, lithium reacts with sulfur, which forms polysulfides and enters the electrolyte, resulting in the loss of active material in the cell.

A new design by researchers at Cambridge University has grown a layer of zinc oxide nanowires on the surface of carbon electrodes. The final structure is similar to human intestinal villus, which captures polysulfides. This will ensure the electrochemical properties of the material for reuse.

However, this battery also has its own limitations, such as charging less than the level of lithium batteries. However, lithium-sulfur batteries with higher energy density, each charge can be used longer.

At present, this design is still in the proof of concept stage. If you can commercially, then it will bring a new generation of high-capacity battery.

Paul Coxon, MD, Ph.D., professor of materials science and metallurgy at Cambridge University and co-author of the paper, said: "We all connect to our own electronic devices. Ultimately, we're trying to make those devices work better and let our Life becomes better. "