Researchers have developed a new method to produce anode materials for sodium-ion batteries in seconds.
Developed by a research team at the Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), the groundbreaking technology enables ultrafast, 30-second preparation of hard carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries using microwave induction heating.
The team led by Dr. Kim and Dr. Park first created films by mixing polymers with a small amount of highly conductive carbon nanotubes. They then applied a microwave magnetic field to the films to induce currents in the carbon nanotubes, selectively heating the films to over 1,400°C in just 30 seconds, according to the study.
Electromagnetic field in microwave bandwidth is applied to nanomaterials
With the years of its research, KERI has developed a technology to uniformly heat-treat conductive thin films, such as metals, using microwave magnetic fields.
This technology has attracted considerable attention in industrial processes such as displays and semiconductors. Its Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center is recognized as the nation’s leading center for carbon nanomaterials technology. Researchers leveraged the center’s capabilities to venture into sodium-ion battery anode materials and achieved promising results, according to a press release .
The team’s own “multiphysics simulation” technique helped them easily develop anode material .
The method allowed them to have a profound understanding of the complex processes occurring when an electromagnetic field in the microwave bandwidth is applied to nanomaterials, leading to the creation of a novel process for preparing sodium-ion battery anode materials, according to the study published in Chemical Engineering Journal.
Sodium-ion batteries are safer and function well
Dr. Jong Hwan Park stated that due to recent electric vehicle fires, there has been growing interest in sodium-ion batteries that are safer and function well in colder conditions. However, Park maintained that the carbonization process for anodes has been a significant disadvantage in terms of energy efficiency and cost.
“Our microwave induction heating technology enables fast and easy preparation of hard carbon, which I believe will contribute to the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries,” said Dr. Daeho Kim.
Hard carbons (HCs) are excellent anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the carbonization and granulation of HC powders involve complex processes and require considerable energy.
KERI expects this technology to attract interest from companies
“Here, we developed a facile method for manufacturing HC anodes for SIBs via a novel microwave induction heating (MIH) process for polymer/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films. The feasibility of MIH for scalable roll-to-roll production of HC anodes was verified through local heating tests using a circular sheet larger than a resonator,” said researchers in the study .
KERI has already completed a domestic patent application. KERI is expecting this technology to attract significant interest from companies involved in energy storage materials and anticipates technology transfer deals with potential industry partners.
Researchers plan to continue working to improve the performance of their anode materials and develop technology for the continuous mass production of large-area hard carbon films. They also see the potential of their microwave induction heating technology applicable to other fields, such as all-solid-state batteries that require high-temperature sintering, which warrants further research, according to press release .
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