Australian researchers have developed a technique that can greatly improve battery life by simply adding an extremely thin protective layer - just one atom thick - on the battery electrodes, helping to reduce the extremely high energy densities in electric vehicles. Lithium-ion battery applications, and reduce the environmental hazards of waste batteries.

Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia say the discovery could double the lifespan of high-energy-density batteries, at least to the point where they can be used daily, rather than degrading within a few hundred charge-discharge cycles.

Once this research is commercialized, we may see EVs with longer range and longer battery life.

It is understood that a paper related to this research has been published in the journal "Nature Communications"
The researchers said that lithium batteries have high energy density and high output voltage, and can be widely used in smart phones, notebook computers, electric vehicles and other products, but its cathode material usually uses metal cobalt, which is not only expensive but also toxic.

Wang Lianzhou, a professor at the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland, who led the research, said that they "added" a new atomic-thick coating to the positive electrode of the lithium battery. This nano-coating added nickel and magnesium materials, which are extremely strong and durable. Durable, and nickel and magnesium are less expensive and release less toxic substances. The new coating has strong adhesion and can firmly adhere to the positive electrode of the battery, preventing the battery material from decomposing over time, which can greatly extend the battery life. The lithium battery treated in this way can still maintain stable performance after more than 1,000 charges and discharges, which is more than double the charge and discharge times of the original battery.

Under the dual pressure of industrial development and low-carbon environmental protection, it is crucial to develop lithium batteries with lower cost, higher energy density and longer cycle life. He believes that this new technology is expected to have wider applications in consumer electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage, and hopes that this technology can be produced on an industrial scale within two or three years.