Latest news with #AdvancedEnergyMaterials
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make record-breaking discovery in quest for 'holy grail' of energy: 'A significant advance'
Solid-state batteries are a highly anticipated form of green tech for myriad reasons, and a team of German researchers just developed a novel material with incredible implications for this emerging technology. SSBs have been dubbed a "holy grail" of clean energy. They hold tremendous promise for cleaner, cheaper energy, and — as the name suggests — they employ solid materials rather than liquid electrolytes, as in lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich recently published their SSB-related findings in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. According to Tech Xplore, what they discovered broke a "world record for ion conductivity." In a press release announcing the findings, TUM explained that a team of researchers working under professor Thomas Fässler "partially replaced lithium in a lithium antimonide compound with the metal scandium" and were stunned to discover that the novel material conducts ions "more than 30% faster than any previously known material." Partly replacing the lithium with scandium created gaps called "vacancies" in the material's lattice structure, which enabled ions to move and conduct energy far more efficiently. That's how researchers broke the previous record for lithium-ion conductivity in solid-state materials, which TUM said was a "critical metric for enabling faster charging and more efficient energy storage." Fässler remarked that his team's "result currently represents a significant advance in basic research" into solid-state batteries. SSBs are safer than their lithium-ion counterparts, charge much faster, are more eco-friendly, and can withstand far more charge/discharge cycles in their lifespan than batteries powered by liquid electrolytes. Moreover, their higher energy density means they can pack more power into less space, which is groundbreaking with respect to electric vehicle range. Their potential to extend EV ranges is perhaps the most prominent aspect of SSB development, but the technology has applications far beyond faster charging and longer drives. Solid-state batteries could be scaled up for industrial use — and, eventually, they might even power passenger planes. Fässler noted that "many tests are still needed before the material can be used" in SSBs, adding that researchers were "optimistic" about the impact of their discovery. He said the team had already filed a patent for their record-breaking discovery. Study co-author Jingwen Jiang focused on how their findings could inform bigger breakthroughs. "We believe that our discovery could have broader implications for enhancing conductivity in a wide range of other materials," he said. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Cheap, scalable hydrogen fuel production possible with surface reconstruction strategy
Scientists have demonstrated that a surface reconstruction strategy can enable affordable hydrogen fuel production. The hydrogen fuel is created using The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, scaling this process from a lab experiment to large-scale commercial production has been scientists in Japan have showcased that a surface reconstruction pathway can produce durable, non-noble metal-based cathodes that speed up the HER reaction. Researchers highlighted that they can maintain their performance for more than 300 hours and are calculated to cost very close to the US Department of Energy's 2026 H2 production target ($2.00 per kgH2-1). Researchers from Tohoku University claim that this could pave the way for the rational design of brand new, highly-efficient non-noble metal-based cathodes for commercial PEM application - finally bridging the gap from laboratory to in Advanced Energy Materials, the study reveals that hydrogen generation via a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer manifests the vertex of fundamental and practical studies on technology transferring electricity into hydrogen fuels. However, the harsh working conditions, especially the strong reductive acidic electrolyte-catalyst interface, make non-noble metal-based cathodes unsuitable for PEM electrolyzer. The angle this study approached for trying to improve the HER - which tends to be inefficient and slow by nature - was transition metal phosphides (TMPs). This promising catalyst (which improves the HER's efficiency) is a durable and cost-effective non-noble metal. However, typically noble metals are used, so the researchers recognized that there was a knowledge gap about non-noble metals that needed to be filled, according to a press release."Here, a scale-up application of F modified CoP (CoP|F) cathode is demonstrated from 0.2 cm2 lab-scale three-electrode setup to a commercial 38 cm2 PEM electrolyzer. The operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Raman results confirm that F modification can promote the breakage of Co─P bonds, reconstructed to amorphous metallic Co as true HER active sites," said researchers in the study. "Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the presence of F in the CoP1-x lattice would lead to a more facile formation of P-vacancy under HER conditions, leading to more active zerovalent Co active sites for HER."Scientists highlighted that they prepared F modified CoP and examined aspects such as its surface reconstruction and true active sites using operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Raman measurements. Essentially, adding the F in the CoP1-x lattice allows for P-vacancy sites to form on the surface, which leads to more active sites that are able to speed up the HER. "This reconstructed Co is highly active, works in acidic conditions, and can maintain approximately 76 W for over 300 hours," says Heng Liu from Advanced Institute for Materials Research. "We're getting close to an affordable method to produce fuel. The calculated cost of using this method is $2.17 per kgH2-1 - just 17 cents over the current production target set for 2026." Scientists highlighted that when this F modified CoP cathode underwent surface reconstruction, its activity was improved. The experiment doesn't just test the setup in a lab-scale experimental setup with three electrodes, but also extends the findings to commercial-scale PEM electrolyzers. These results are significant advancements in HER catalyst research that could be the basis for the rational design of other non-noble metal-based cathodes. "We're always thinking about the end goal, which is for research to make its way into everyday life. This advancement brings us one step closer to designing more realistic options for commercial PEM application," added Liu. The findings of the study suggest a surface-reconstruction pathway to fabricate cost-saving and durable non-noble metal-based cathodes for commercial PEM electrolyzers.
