Iodine is an effective antiseptic treatment for small surface wounds, and grazes much beloved by generations of mothers. Stronger concentrations can also treat overactive thyroid, iodine deficiency, and protect the thyroid gland from the effects of radiation. That much is common knowledge, but who would have thought of healing lithium-sulfur batteries with iodine?
Healing Lithium-Sulfur Batteries With Iodine in California
Solid-state lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries use lithium-metal anodes and sulfur cathodes. This combination of battery materials holds great promise as a lithium-ion alternative, except for two reasons. Sulfur is a poor conductor, and expansion and contraction during charging and discharging leads to structural damage.
This damage effectively wipes out lithium-sulfur’s potential to store double the energy of lithium-ion batteries, per kilogram. Lithium-sulfur could otherwise theoretically double the driving range of electric vehicles, without increasing battery weight. However, no one has to date found an effective solution for the disadvantages we mentioned earlier.
Remarkable Break Through at University of San Diego
Researchers at University of San Diego Sustainable Power and Energy Center succeeded in healing lithium-sulfur batteries with iodine for the first time:
- First they developed a new crystal cathode material comprising sulfur and iodine.
- They achieved this by inserting iodine molecules into a crystalline sulfur structure.
- On testing, they found this increased cathode conductivity by 11 orders of magnitude.
In statistical terms this means that their novel iodine-sulfur crystal is 100 billion times more conductive than the standard sulfur offering.
Healing the Sulfur-Iodine Crystal Is Easier Too
The new material has a melting point of 65º C / 149º F, similar to a hot cup of coffee. This makes it relatively easy to melt down, and repair damage from repeat recycling.
“This sulfur-iodide cathode presents a unique concept for managing some of the main impediments to commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries,” the co-author reveals. “This new material is therefore an enabling solution for future high-energy-density solid-state batteries”.
More Information
Lithium-Sulfur Battery Capacity Innovation
Kevlar Fiber Membrane for Lithium-Sulfur
