Summary Reader Response Draft 3
The article
“How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world.”, written
by Lockett (2022), introduces the discovery of using Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) as a
new variation for rechargeable batteries and its benefits. Li-S batteries could
be the catalyst in the advancement of batteries. It boasts possibilities of
cheaper manufacturing costs, three-fold lighter batteries and finally, a
reduction in involuntary battery combustions. However, Li-S batteries typically
have a charge cycle of around 1000 charges, half that of Li-I batteries. Thus,
it is necessary to improve its charge cycles.
According to
Li. et al., (2015, P. 1), although promising, researchers had difficulties
increasing the charge cycle of the Li-S batteries. “Unfortunately, uncontrolled
dendritic and mossy lithium growth, as well as electrolyte decomposition
inherent in lithium metal-based batteries, cause safety issues and low Coulombic
efficiency.” The dissolving of lithium polysulfides into the electrolyte, which
lowers battery efficiency, results in the "shuttling" effect.
Although Pai. et al., (2022, P. 1) mentioned that researchers found a chemical
phase of sulfur that prevented batteries’ degradation. “Here, we stabilize a
rare monoclinic γ-sulfur phase within carbon nanofibers that enables successful
operation of Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries in carbonate electrolyte for 4000
cycles.” The authors implied that the reaction that creates polysulfides could
be nullified with the introduction of gamma sulfurs. Pai. et al., (2022, P. 4)
also stated that the deterioration rate of the new Li-S batteries was minimal
even after 4000 cycles. “The carbonate-based battery exhibits high reversible
capacity, which stabilizes to 800 mAh·g−1 in the first few cycles and then it
remains stable with a small 0.0375% decay rate over 4000 cycles. The cells
exhibit a high capacity of 650 mAh·g−1 even after the end of 4000
cycles.”
In Lockett’s
opinion, Li-S batteries have the potential to transform society. In my opinion,
Li-S batteries should replace Li-I batteries as they cause less ecological
harm, are cheaper, are lighter in weight, and sulfur is abundant on Earth.
Although, it might take some time before Li-S batteries overtake Li-I ones.
Rechargeable
batteries and the parts that make up the batteries' ecological cost are a
growing concern. Li-I batteries usually contain nickel and cobalt, as was
previously mentioned. These minerals are produced through significant mining
activities, with cobalt mining being the primary cause for worry (Gifford,
2020). Miners take the metal from private property, agriculture, and residences
when cobalt depletes. Additionally, cobalt and other metal mining by-products
have the potential to harm soil, water, and air. (Northwestern University,
2021). On the other hand, Sulfur is abundant, so much so that the US
Geographical Survey classifies it as nearly limitless and produced on several
continents. Additionally, according to environmental regulators, sulfur does
not pose any significant health dangers (Gifford, 2020).
The use of
sulfur in lithium batteries would be a better choice when compared to Li-I
batteries due to the abundance of sulfur therefore and its cost. They
substitute sulfur, a cheap raw element that is a by-product of the oil
industry, for cobalt, which is sensitive to weak global supply networks.
Additionally, their prices per unit of power can result in considerable
savings. (Merrifield,2020). Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO), Lithium Nickel Cobalt
Manganese Oxide (NMC), and Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA) are the
three Li-I battery types considered in this comparison. Sulfur is 550 times
less expensive than cobalt and 243 times less expensive than nickel.
(Benveniste et al., 2018). According to research on drones, Li-S, which costs
about €72 per kWh and is 30% cheaper than comparable Li-I technology, may
result in significant cost savings (Merrifield, 2020).
Li-S batteries'
superior energy density per unit weight over Li-ion batteries is a key selling
point (Gifford, 2020). The energy density of the present Li-S ranges from 200
to 500 Wh/kg, while that of the LCO, NMC, and NCA is 240 Wh/kg, 220 Wh/kg, and
260 Wh/kg, respectively (Benveniste et al., 2018). High energy density
batteries have longer run times compared to smaller batteries. They can
generate the same amount of energy while having a reduced environmental impact
than batteries with lower energy densities. (Cloud, 2020). As a result, Li-S
batteries can be more compact, lighter, and longer-lasting between
charges.
One issue with
Li-S batteries is that although they have a theoretical maximum energy density
of 2600 Wh/kg, they have only been able to produce 500 W/kg, which is one of
the problems researchers are trying to overcome. High sulfur loading and high
sulfur utilization are necessary to produce higher energy densities. Despite
the researchers' talks and creation of some parameters, it hasn't been possible
to meet all these standards at once (Feng et al.,2020).
To conclude,
although the Li-S battery may appear superior to the Li-I battery, While the
market for electric vehicles is expanding, it seems that Li-S batteries have
not yet reached commercial viability. The quest is on for strategies to
increase energy density and halt degradation. If researchers are successful,
Li-S batteries, which are more efficient, will soon replace Li-I batteries.
References
Benveniste, G.,
Rallo, H., Canals Casals, L., Merino, A., & Amante García, B. (2018).
Comparison of the state of lithium-sulfur and lithium-ion batteries applied to
electromobility.
https://upcommons.upc.edu/bitstream/handle/2117/121911/comparison_state.pdf;sequence=1
Cloud, M.(2020,
August 21). What is the energy density of a lithium-ion battery? Flux power. https://www.fluxpower.com/blog/what-is-the-energy-density-of-a-lithium-ion-battery
Feng, Y., Wang, G.,
Ju, J., Zhao, Y., Kang, W., Deng, N., & Cheng, B. (2020, November). Towards
high energy density Li-S batteries with high sulfur loading: From key issues to
advanced strategies. ScienceDirect.
Gifford, S.(2020,
July). Lithium-sulfur batteries: advantages. The Faraday Institution.
https://www.faraday.ac.uk/lis-advantages/
Lockett, W. (2022
,April 17). How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world. BigThink.
Li, W., Yao, H., Yan,
K., Zheng, G., Liang, Z., Chiang, Y., & Cui, Y. (2015, June 17). The
synergetic effect of lithium polysulfide and lithium nitrate to prevent lithium
dendrite growth. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms8436
Merrifield R. (2020,
June 05). Cheaper, lighter and more energy-dense: the promise of lithium sulfur
batteries. European Commission.
Northwestern
University. (2021, December 17). Understanding cobalt’s human cost:Social
consequences of green energy must be assessed in addition to environmental
impacts, researchers say. ScienceDaily.
Rahul Pai, R., Singh,
A., Tang, M., & Kalra, V. (2022, February 10). Stabilization of gamma
sulfur at room temperature to enable the use of carbonate electrolyte in Li-s
batteries. Nature Communications.
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