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Carbon nanotubes are proving to be a secret method for making better batteries. Recent research by scientists at Rice University and published in the journal Advanced Materials has confirmed the benefits of using carbon nanotubes.
What are carbon nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical carbon molecules whose properties make them potentially useful in various applications in nanotechnology, electronics, optics and other areas of materials science, as defined by Science Daily.
How are carbon nanotube batteries better than normal batteries?
Rice's lab of chemist James Tour has shown that thin films of nanotubes tend to stop the growth of dendrites, thorny projections that typically develop on the surface of the electrode after several cycles of unprotected battery charging.
Over time, these tentacle-shaped dendrites can pierce the electrolyte core of the battery and reach the cathode, causing battery failure.
"The lithium dope nanotube film, which goes from black to red, and the film, in turn, diffuses lithium ions," he added.
What is the lithium-ion battery?
The lithium-ion battery is the one that can be recharged. Lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during the discharge and back during charging.
A researcher holding a lithium metal anode with a carbon nanotube film. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Fitlow)
However, the carbon nanotube film intended to prevent the growth of dendrites in lithium metal batteries is charging faster and retains more power than current lithium-ion batteries.
The carbon nanotube loader will be much faster
Lithium metal charges much faster and contains about 10 times more energy in volume than lithium ion electrodes found in almost all electronic devices, including cell phones and electric cars. .
"One of the ways to slow down dendrites in lithium-ion batteries is to limit their charge speed," Tour said.
How do carbon nanotubes work?
"The physical contact with metallic lithium reduces the nanotube film, but the balance by adding lithium ions," said Rodrigo Salvatierra, postdoctoral researcher at Rice, lead author of the paper with Gladys López-Silva, a graduate student.
The ions are distributed in the nanotube film.
When the battery is in use, the film releases stored ions and the underlying lithium anode fills it up again, maintaining the film's ability to stop dendrite growth.
The test revealed that the entangled nanotube film effectively destroyed the dendrites in 580 charge / discharge cycles of a test battery when used with a carbon-sulfur cathode.
Lithium metal cells retain about 99.8% of their effectiveness.
Read also: This new battery works with carbon dioxide emitted by power plants and can reduce air pollution
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