New battery technologies have a large role to play in the energy transition
Science and Technology of Advanced Materials published a review from researchers who have surveyed battery technologies needed for the green energy transition. Researchers Eunho Lim and their colleagues from Dongguk University in Korea detailed why alternative batteries are required.
Potassium-ion batteries hold the potential to contain higher energy density than conventional sodium-ion batteries, making large-scale energy storage more realistic for renewable energy sources.
Lithium-ion batteries have played an important role in the electrical revolution, without them laptops, phones, electric vehicles, and other gadgets would not have been possible. As technology continues to take over the world, the limited nature of lithium is raising concerns over the long-term prospects of using lithium-ion batteries.
Demand continues to increase for the mineral, raising global prices. Sodium-ion batteries have help curve demand, being nearly ready to hit the market. Sodium benefits from being a more available material and therefore does not create the cost constraints that lithium does.
Potassium-ion batteries may be a game changer however, as they have increased power density. This enables large scale storage and could have benefits to consumer technology.
Lim said: “Potassium-ion batteries are emerging as a viable alternative due to the abundance and cost-effectiveness of potassium, but realising their potential requires the development of advanced anode materials tailored to the unique properties of potassium ions.”
The review addresses that potassium-ion batteries full potential is yet to be explored by research. The paper contains the benefits and limitations of a range of anode materials, along with the electrochemical mechanisms each would require to function.
A list of strategies to overcome each anode’s weaknesses is also provided in the paper, along with a detailed explanation of the trade-off between performance and sustainability.
Lim added: “My research will focus on the development of cost-effective, high-performance, and safe anode materials for potassium-ion batteries. Understanding these mechanisms will be crucial for optimising material design and electrode architecture.”
Research highlighted the interaction of electrochemical parameters and physical structures in determining the capacity and longevity of these batteries. This begins the path for future research into the topic.
Lim said: “My goal is to contribute to the commercialisation of potassium-ion batteries by developing materials that can rival or exceed the performance of current lithium-ion battery anodes.”
Now the groundwork of research has been established, Lim hopes to develop new materials which deliver on potassium-ion batteries, whilst minimising their limitations.
