Lithium-Sulphur Batteries Charge in 5 Minutes

The time it takes to charge EV batteries to a reasonable level is dropping all the time. While researchers work on our current Li-ion batteries to try to find practical ways of getting more current in faster, other groups of scientists are trying to improve other types of battery chemistry to enable them to charge even more quickly. One of those battery chemistries is lithium sulphur (Li-S), which already has a few benefits over the batteries that we use today. For example, they are capable of high energy density, have lower cost of raw materials, better safety and reduced environmental impact. One of their main drawbacks is that current state-of-the-art Li-S batteries suffer from low charge-discharge rates, and typically hours to perform a single full charge-discharge cycle. Now, new research has show that it could be possible to charge Li-S batteries in under 5 minutes.

The new study was performed by a team of researchers led by the University of Adelaide’s Professor Shizhang Qiao, Chair of Nanotechnology, and Director, Centre for Materials in Energy and Catalysis, at the university’s School of Chemical Engineering. The research examined the sulphur reduction reaction (SRR) which is the pivotal process governing the charge-discharge rate of Li-S batteries.

Describing the study, Professor Qiao explained, “We investigated various carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc during the SRR. Reaction rates increased with higher polysulphide concentrations, as polysulphide serves as the reactive intermediating during SRR.”

The team designed a nanocomposite electrocatalyst, comprising a carbon material and cobalt-zinc (CoZn) clusters. When the electrocatalyst CoZn was used in lithium-sulphur batteries, the resulting battery achieves an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 26120 W kgS-1. Professor Qiao clarified by saying, “Our research shows a significant advancement, enabling lithium-sulphur batteries to achieve full charge/discharge in less than five minutes. Our breakthrough has the potential to revolutionise energy storage technologies and advance the development of high-performance battery systems for various applications”.

The new study, which has been published in the Nature Nanotechnology journal, is the first comprehensive approach to tackling the problem of slow charge/discharge rates in lithium-sulphur batteries and has significant impact for scientists designing electrocatalyst materials and experts examining the reaction mechanisms of lithium-sulphur batteries.

The high-power capabilities of these batteries make them well-suited for applications requiring rapid charging and discharging, offering enhanced performance and reliability for both consumer electronics and large-scale energy storage solutions in grid applications.