Energy storage plays a huge role in decarbonization and ensuring energy security action plan. The first thing that comes to one’s mind when considering energy storage are batteries. However, this way of energy preservation has still a lot of problems e.g.: decrease in battery life time due to charging process, high temperature work environment (especially in smartphones), resources scarcity and obtaining raw materials for production.
Scientists from the Faculty of Chemistry of the Warsaw University of Technology in Poland have developed an innovation – a new electrolyte called LiTDI salt which significantly upgrades and extends the life of lithium-ion batteries. LiTDI salt is produced under the license of the Warsaw University of Technology by the French chemical concern Arkema. The new electrolyte characterizes with lower toxicity, which indicates a cell’s life elongation by 3 times in comparison to other batteries of this type, and higher resistance for the external factors. For example, their batteries can work in 90 °C. All of the mentioned above can significantly improve the lithium-ion batteries production process and their usage phase.
The improvement that can be achieved within the production phase: thanks to the low toxicity the strict production requirements for the factory could be slacked which might indicate lower production costs along with the batteries’ market costs. The improvement that can be obtained within the usage phase: the battery can be used longer and there is no need for frequent replacement for a new one. If the electric vehicle is considered, in which the accumulator is one of the most expensive component, the feature mentioned before might relevantly influence the price of such a vehicle as well. What is more, extra cooling system is not as necessary due to the high temperature resistance characteristic.
Polish invention has been already used in smartphones and electric vehicles. In addition, lithium-ion batteries can be used in many electronic devices e.g., wireless headphones, handheld power tools, toys, small and large appliances and electrical energy storage systems.