Bombshell battery boosts EV range by 620 miles, doubles energy density for aircraft

Researchers at Monash University in Australia have developed ultra-fast-charging lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries that could soon power long-range electric vehicles and flying air taxis. The newly developed batteries deliver twice the energy density of a conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, according to a university press release.

Invented in the 1980s, lithium-ion batteries are now the mainstay of energy storage for small electronic devices or large electric vehicles. Even renewable energy storage banks on lithium-ion batteries due to their superior energy density and storage capacity.

Lithium-sulfur batteries might be in the news now, but they were actually invented two decades before their Li-ion counterparts. However, the limitations of internal chemistries have resulted in Li-S batteries taking a back seat in their development, which is slowly being addressed.

Improving Li-S batteries

Among the shortcomings of the Li-S battery are reduced power delivery and fewer charge cycles. This is primarily due to the anode and cathode materials used in the battery.

Since sulfur serves as the cathode and lithium-ion as the anode, lithium is not re-deposited on the anode during the recharging process. Instead, the resulting chemical deposits degrade the anode and the electrolyte, slowing down recharging times and power output.

Inspired by the chemistry of betadine, a commonly used antiseptic, researchers at Monash University found a way to improve the charge and discharge rates of Li-S batteries. The antiseptic contains polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a synthetic polymer that can react with other molecules to form compounds with different properties.

Using PVP as a catalyst in Li-S batteries accelerates chemical reactions, facilitating faster charge and discharge rates.

Better, safer, greener

“Our catalyst has significantly enhanced the C-rate performance of Li-S batteries, demonstrated in early proof-of-concept prototype cells,” said  Mainak Majumder, professor at Monash University, who led the research. “With commercial scaling and larger cell production, this technology could deliver energy densities up to 400 Wh/kg.”

In comparison, Li-ion batteries have an energy density of 150 – 235 Wh/ kg. The higher energy density of the Li-S battery can propel electric vehicles for another 600 miles (1,000 km), helping to transition to electrified transport.

What makes Li-S batteries even special is that they can also achieve quick discharge rates. “This makes it well-suited for applications requiring dynamic performance, such as aviation, where batteries must handle high C-rates during take-off and efficiently switch to low C-rates during cruising,” added Majumber in the press release.

Not only does the addition of the catalyst reduce charging times, but it also makes the batteries safer, as they were previously prone to short circuits and fires. Li-S batteries are also environmentally more sustainable since they do not require cobalt, whose extraction is an energy-intensive process. Sulfur is widely available and inexpensive.

“Imagine an electric vehicle that can travel from Melbourne to Sydney on a single charge or a smartphone that charges in minutes — we’re on the cusp of making this a reality,” added Petar Jovanović, a research fellow at Monash University and co-lead author of the paper which published the research findings in the journal Advanced Engineering Materials.