Battery Technology - May 2021 - 21

currently needed for the
mands. The new cathode has
cathode, which makes up the
similar or better electrosignificant portion of a lithichemical characteristics than
um-ion battery's cost. Cobalt
cobalt-based cathodes while
is rare and largely mined
utilizing lower-cost raw
overseas, making it difficult
materials.
to acquire and produce cathNot only does NFA perform
odes. As a result, finding an
as well as cobalt-based cathalternative material to coodes but the process to manbalt that can be manufacufacture the NFA cathodes
tured cost effectively has
can be integrated into existbecome a lithium-ion bating global cathode manufactery research priority.
turing processes. Future reResearchers tested the
search and development on
Researchers developed a new class of cobalt-free cathodes called NFA
performance of the new that is being investigated for making lithium-ion batteries for electric vehi- the NFA class will include
cathodes and determined cles. (Credit: Andy Sproles/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy)
testing the materials in largethey are promising substiformat cells to validate the
tutes for cobalt-based cathodes. They
electrochemical properties. The cathodes
lab-scale results and further explore the
used neutron diffraction, Mossbauer
undergo similar electrochemical reacsuitability of the cathodes for use in elecspectroscopy, and other advanced charactions as cobalt-based cathodes and
tric vehicles.
terization techniques to investigate NFA's
deliver high enough specific capacities
For more information, contact Jennifer J.
atomic and micro structures as well as
to meet the battery energy density deBurke at burkejj@ornl.gov; 865-414-6835.

Enhancing Hybrid Flow Battery Electrodes with
Nanomaterials
This technology provides highly efficient grid-scale electricity storage at a fifth of the cost of current
storage technologies.

University of Warwick and Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Manganese
Side

Polysulfide
Side

Vanadium
Side

Hydrogen
Side

Catholyte
Side

Hydrogen
Side

ind and solar power are inenhance the electrode durability and
RHVFC
creasingly popular sources for
performance significantly in highly
renewable energy. Unfortuacidic or alkaline environments.
N-G SGL
nately, intermittency issues keep them
The hybrid flow battery's total
from connecting widely to the nachemical cost is about 1/30th the cost
RHMnFC
EPD
tional grid. One potential solution inof competing batteries such as lithivolves the deployment of long-duraum-ion systems. Scaled-up technolotion battery technology such as the
gies may be used to store electricity
redox flow battery. Despite its great
from wind or solar power for multiple
S-Air
promise, the current costs of this sysdays to entire seasons. These batteries
Pristine SGL
tem are a key determining factor to
are also extremely useful for gridLiquid Side
Electrode
real-world adoption.
scale load leveling applications as
Researchers have found a way of
their design is very flexible due to
enhancing hybrid flow batteries or re- A binder-free horizontal electrophoretic deposition their unique feature of sizing power
(EPD) process is used to activate commercial carbon
generative fuel cell (RFC) technology paper electrodes using nitrogen-doped graphene. independently of their energy.
that could store electricity for very (Credit: WMG, University of Warwick)
The energy density of a hybrid flow
long durations for about one-fifth the
battery, especially the polysulphide/
cost of current storage technologies, with
ogy combines carbon-based electrodes
air system (S-Air), is 500 times higher
flexibility in siting and with minimal enwith economically sourced electrolytes,
than pumped hydroelectric storage. It is
vironmental impact.
(manganese or sulphur, which are abunalso much more compact and can be
They enhanced three hybrid flow cells
dant chemicals in the planet) by means of
placed near any renewable generation.
using nitrogen-doped graphene (exposed
a simple and yet highly effective elecFor more information, contact Alice Scott
to nitrogen plasma) in a binder-free electrophoretic deposition of nanocarbon
at alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk; +44 (0)
trophoresis technique (EPD). The technoladditives (nitrogen-doped graphene) that
7920 531 221.
Battery Technology, May 2021

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Battery Technology - May 2021

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