The foil has a thermal conductivity of up to 1400.8 W m-1 K-1 — almost 10 times higher than traditional copper and aluminum current collectors used in lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers from Swansea University, Wuhan University of Technology and Shenzhen University (PRC) have developed a scalable method for creating defect-free graphene foil. It has exceptional thermal conductivity, writes interestingengineering.com.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in energy storage technology. They developed a new technology for the production of large-sized graphene current collectors. This will help multiply the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries and solve an important problem in energy storage technology.
The foil has a thermal conductivity of up to 1400.8 W m-1 K-1 — almost 10 times higher than traditional copper and aluminum current collectors used in lithium-ion batteries. The new method makes it possible to produce graphene current collectors at a scale and quality that can be easily integrated into commercial battery production.
Researchers created a 200m-long graphene foil that retained its high electrical conductivity even after being bent more than 100,000 times. Such flexibility opens up possibilities for applications in flexible electronics and other advanced technologies.
The improved heat dissipation capability directly addresses a critical safety issue: thermal runaway Graphene current collectors act as an effective heat sink, preventing excessive heat build-up and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
The dense, aligned structure of graphene provides a reliable barrier against the formation of combustible gases and prevents oxygen from entering the battery cells, which prevents overheating. Now lithium-ion batteries will be much safer, more reliable and longer lasting.
The research team continues to improve their method. It aims to further reduce the thickness of the graphene foil and improve its mechanical properties. Developers are also exploring the use of this material in other types of batteries, such as redox flow batteries and sodium ion batteries.
This breakthrough represents a significant advance in energy storage technology. As the world looks for solutions to climate change and the need for clean energy, this development offers a promising path to a more sustainable future.