The photo is sourced from atomic-energy.ru
Polyvalent metal-ionic batteries are based on magnesium, zinc and aluminium are characterised by low unit cost of energy storage. Thanks to that, they can become a cheaper alternative for lithium-ionic batteries, which are also subject to the fire risk. However, introduction of metal-ionic batteries is difficult due to absence of ionic conductors with the function of both electrodes and solid electrolytes (substances, in which electrical conductivity is determined by high mobility of ions).
To find the substances, which could be used as ionic conductors, scientists from Samara State Engineering University analysed more than 1,500 thousand of chemical compounds. At the first stage, the authors of the study calculated a series of parameters for each element including the value of free crystalline space (which provides for the conductivity of electric current) and the diffusion factor (the velocity of ions moving between the areas of high and low concentration). Consequently, the scientists selected 16 compounds capable of performing as efficient ionic conductors.
Among the selected compounds the scientists identified a new class of crystalline materials with especially high cation conductivity. These compounds belong to the structural class of La3CuSiS7, and their ionic conductivity is 10-100 times higher vs the analogues.
“The results of our study may facilitate the development of the new-generation batteries. With the help of the theoretic methods, we succeeded in finding new promising materials. Our next objective is to synthesise and prove by experiments the parameters of the newly discovered materials, and after that we can proceed with the assembling the battery prototype”, можно будет собрать прототип аккумулятора», Samara State Engineering University is citing Artem Kabanov, the head of the study, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Studies.
