In Short : NIT Rourkela has developed advanced cathode technology aimed at boosting the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sectors. This innovative technology enhances battery performance, increasing energy efficiency and storage capacity. The breakthrough is expected to play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of EVs and supporting renewable energy initiatives, contributing to a sustainable energy future.
In Detail : Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) developed a new class of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, presenting an alternative to cobalt-based designs.
This innovation addresses challenges associated with the high cost, scarcity, and environmental concerns of cobalt, a key component in conventional lithium-ion batteries, informed NIT Rourkela.
The research team, led by Dr Partha Saha, Associate Professor, Ceramic Engineering, includes Prof Sanjoy Datta, Associate Professor, Dr Soumyasree Jena, Research Graduate, and Abhishek Kumar, Research Scholar, have created cobalt-free cathode materials using magnesium and nickel. These materials enhance lithium-ion movement, resulting in improved battery performance, greater stability, higher capacity retention, and longer-lasting energy storage, mentioned the press release.
Lithium-ion batteries, which power devices like smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles (EVs), predominantly use cobalt-based cathodes. However, cobalt presents several challenges, including its high cost and price volatility, limited availability, with major sources in countries like Cuba, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea, and significant environmental and ethical concerns associated with its extraction.
The research team developed magnesium-based cathode materials as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to cobalt. Their patented work demonstrates that magnesium can effectively replace cobalt in cathode structures without compromising performance, stated the release.
“Our research shows that the new cathode retains 74.3% of its original capacity after 100 charge-discharge cycles, a significant improvement over the rapid capacity loss observed in traditional cobalt-based cathodes. Additionally, the new cathode minimizes the cationic disorder of nickel in lithium sites—a common issue in traditional NMC-based cathodes that leads to capacity and voltage fade,” said Dr Partha Saha, Associate Professor, Ceramic Engineering.
This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Nanomission program and conducted in collaboration with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at NIT Rourkela.
