Fluoride, a fundamental ingredient in toothpaste, has been identified by researchers at Argonne National Laboratory as a potential remedy for next-generation batteries. The invention, which uses an electrolyte that contains fluoride to increase battery energy density and longevity, might usher in a new era of efficiency and sustainability for electric cars.

A novel fluoride electrolyte has been found by the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, and it may help enhance batteries in the future. A new generation of non-lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles may soon be available, according to the finding made by group leader John Zhang.

In comparison to lithium-ion batteries, these non-lithium-ion batteries have an energy storage capacity that is twice as great or even higher per unit of weight or volume. But in less than a hundred charge-discharge cycles, these batteries begin to swiftly deteriorate.

The source of the short cycle-life problem is that the electrolyte does not form an adequate protective layer on the anode surface during the first few cycles. This layer, also called solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI), acts like a guardian, allowing lithium ions to freely pass in and out of the anode to charge and discharge the battery, respectively.

The team discovered a new fluoride solvent that maintains a robust protective layer for hundreds of cycles. The fluoride solvent is an ionic liquid made up of two fluorinated components: a positively charged cation and a negatively charged anion. The main distinction in this electrolyte is the replacement of hydrogen atoms with fluorine, which considerably enhances performance in a test lithium metal cell.

To better understand the mechanism behind this difference at the atomic scale, the team drew upon the high-performance computing resources of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility. High-resolution electron microscopy revealed that the highly protective SEI layer on the anode and cathode led to the stable cycling.

The team was able to tune the proportion of fluoride solvent to lithium salt to create a layer with optimal properties, including an SEI thickness that is not too thick or thin. Because of this layer, lithium ions could efficiently flow in and out of the electrodes during charge and discharge for hundreds of cycles.

An economical, safe, and non-flammable electrolyte called fluorinated cation electrolyte can provide the electric car sector a considerable boost. It may be manufactured in a single step with high purity, lowering the need for solvents and contaminant release.

According to techtimes.com & scitechdaily.com