Scientists at Japan’s Tohoku University have made a major breakthrough in battery technology by creating a new cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs).
This material facilitates efficient charging and discharging operations, even in cold environments, according to the website scitechdaily.
more effective
By taking advantage of rock salt’s improved structure, this pioneering material is set to revolutionize energy storage options, making them more cost-effective, safer and higher capacity.
The study shows a significant improvement in the diffusion of magnesium (Mg) within the rock salt structure, a crucial advance given that the density of atoms in this configuration had previously hindered Mg migration.
By introducing a strategic combination of seven different mineral elements, the research team created a crystal structure abundant in stable cation vacancies, facilitating easier introduction and extraction of magnesium.
This represents the first use of rock salt oxide as a cathode material for the RMB. The high-entropy strategy the researchers used allowed cationic defects to activate the rock salt oxide cathode.
Enhancing the movement of magnesium
The development also addresses one of the major limitations of RMB – the difficulty of transporting magnesium within solid materials. Until now, high temperatures have been necessary to enhance the mobility of magnesium in conventional cathode materials, such as those with a spinel structure.
However, the material unveiled by researchers at Tohoku University operates efficiently at only 90 degrees Celsius, demonstrating a significant reduction in the required operating temperature.
“Lithium is scarce and unevenly distributed, while magnesium is abundant, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries,” says Tomoya Kawaguchi, a professor at Tohoku University’s Institute of Materials Research (IMR). “.
Reducing carbon emissions
He added: “Magnesium batteries, which contain the newly developed cathode material, are expected to play a pivotal role in various applications, including grid storage, electric vehicles, and portable electronic devices, contributing to the global shift towards renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.” .
Kawaguchi collaborated with Tetsu Ichitsubo, also a professor at IMR, who said: “By harnessing the intrinsic benefits of magnesium and overcoming previous physical limitations, this research paves the way for the next generation of batteries, promising significant impacts on technology, the environment and society.”
Ultimately, this achievement is a major step forward in the search for efficient and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions.
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