Fluoride-free batteries: Safeguarding the surroundings and enhancing efficiency – Uplaza

A analysis crew has developed a brand new fluorine-free binder and electrolyte designed to advance eco-friendly, high-performance battery know-how. Their findings have been not too long ago printed within the Chemical Engineering Journal.

As environmental considerations intensify, the significance of sustainable supplies in battery know-how is rising. Conventional lithium batteries depend on fluorinated compounds corresponding to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆, LP) salts. Nonetheless, this “PVDF-LP” system releases extremely poisonous hydrogen fluoride (HF), which reduces battery efficiency and lifespan. Moreover, PVDF is non-biodegradable, and with the European Union (EU) tightening rules on PFAS, a ban on these substances is predicted by 2026.

Researchers from POSTECH and Hansol Chemical have designed a non-fluorinated battery system to adjust to upcoming environmental rules and improve battery efficiency. They created a lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄, LC)-based electrolyte to exchange fluorinated LP electrolytes together with a non-fluorinated fragrant polyamide (APA) binder utilizing Hansol Chemical’s proprietary know-how. This revolutionary “APA-LC” system is solely freed from fluorinated compounds.

The “APA binder” reinforces the bonding between the cathode’s energetic materials and the aluminum present collector, stopping electrode corrosion within the electrolyte and considerably extending battery life. Moreover, the “LC system,” enriched with lithium chloride (LiCl) and lithium oxide (Li₂O), lowers the power barrier on the interface to advertise ion migration, resulting in sooner lithium diffusion and superior output efficiency in comparison with the prevailing LP system.

General, the APA-LC system exhibited better oxidation stability than the traditional PVDF-LP system and maintained 20% increased capability retention after 200 cycles at a speedy cost/discharge price of 1 C, inside the 2.8–4.3 V vary in a coin cell check.

The analysis crew utilized the APA-LC system to supply a high-capacity 1.5 Ah (ampere-hour) pouch cell. The cell maintained wonderful discharge capability and demonstrated robust efficiency throughout fast-charging trials. This marks the world’s first profitable demonstration of a battery system that’s solely scalable and sensible, made solely from non-fluorinated supplies, with none fluorinated compounds.

Professor Soojin Park of POSTECH stated, “We haven’t just replaced fluorinated systems; we’ve proven high-capacity retention and outstanding stability. Our solution will advance the sustainability of the battery industry, facilitating the shift to non-fluorinated battery systems while ensuring environmental compliance.”

Managing Director Younger-Ho Yoon of Hansol Chemical’s Secondary Battery Supplies Enterprise remarked, “By addressing PFAS regulatory concerns, we’ve secured a foothold in the global cathode binder market, projected to reach KRW 1.7 trillion by 2026. Continued research will solidify our position as a leading supplier of eco-friendly secondary battery materials.”

The crew was led by Professor Soojin Park and Seoha Nam from the Division of Chemistry at POSTECH, in partnership with Hansol Chemical’s Battery supplies R&D heart.