Fluorine is a highly reactive element, mainly used in controlled industrial and laboratory processes. Fluoride is a fluorine compound with an additional electron. This is the harmless version they add to toothpaste, because many say it reduces cavities. Scientists just discovered that fluorine atoms fix sodium-ion batteries too, so they last longer.
Fluorine Additive for Sodium-Ion Battery Electrolyte
Scientists from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have found a way to improve sodium-ion pouch cell batteries. These batteries would have great potential for electric cars, smartphones, laptops and so on, if they lasted as long as lithium-ion cells.
But that hope has not been achieved in the market, although there are signs that it might. Stay with us while we explore what the Chapel Hill scientists have been up to. Because this one looks like it could perhaps be a winner.
The Big Fluorine Experiment Making Breaking News
The electrolyte in a battery has a critical role in battery performance and cycle life. This is the liquid solution, or solid membrane, that allows ions, and nothing else to move between electrodes.
The team from University of North Carolina found a way for fluorine atoms to fix a notoriously short sodium-ion battery cycle life:
- They created two versions of a liquid electrolyte for a pouch-type sodium-ion battery.
- One of their two experimental pouch cell electrolytes contained a fluorinated solvent.
- The electrolyte with the added fluorine thickened, and slowed the movement of ions.
The researchers thought this was a thumbs-down for their modified electrolyte. But, when they looked closer they discovered:
- The battery with the fluorinated solvent retained 85% of its storage capacity, after 500 cycles.
- The control battery degraded faster, had more resistance, and shed more voltage in storage.
The fluorine atoms thus appeared to fix the problem of short sodium-ion battery cycle life. We wish the researchers well, as they take their discovery to the next level.
More Information
Battery Life Cycle vs. Cycle Life
New Boost to Sodium-Ion Battery Performance
Preview Image: Future Sodium-Ion Battery
