Oregon State University researchers have successfully developed an iron-based cathode material that could significantly reduce the cost, safety and environmental impact of batteries. This breakthrough eliminates the need for expensive and rare metals like cobalt and nickel, making it easier to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) at lower costs.
Chemistry researcher Xiulei “David” Ji explained how they were able to achieve this by increasing the reactivity of iron metal, resulting in a higher energy density compared to current cathode materials used in EVs. Since iron is much cheaper than nickel and cobalt, the cost of batteries made with this new material could be significantly lower.
Ji pointed out that the use of scarce metals like nickel and cobalt contributes significantly to the production cost of lithium-ion battery cells. If these metals are overexploited, there may be a shortage that could impact battery manufacturing. In contrast, iron is abundant on Earth, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply for battery production.
To create this new cathode material, scientists mixed iron powder with special chemicals such as lithium fluoride and lithium phosphate to form iron salts that can easily change back and forth between their oxidized and reduced forms. This innovative approach allows them to incorporate iron into battery production without requiring major changes to existing processes. By using familiar materials combined with iron, they were able to achieve higher energy density in a more sustainable and cost-effective way.
Ji emphasized that implementing this new cathode material does not require any significant modifications to current battery production methods. Simply replacing the cathode with the iron-based material can greatly improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of batteries without requiring additional changes to anodes, production lines or battery designs. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the battery industry by making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable for consumers.
In summary, researchers at Oregon State University have successfully developed an iron-based cathode material that could make batteries cheaper, safer and more sustainable by eliminating the need for expensive rare metals like cobalt and nickel. The electrode offers a higher energy density than current materials used in EVs while being much cheaper than nickel or cobalt based materials which would make it easier for manufacturers to produce EVs at lower costs.
