Researchers have developed an iron-based cathode material that has the potential to make batteries cheaper, safer, and more sustainable. This breakthrough will eliminate the need for expensive and rare metals like cobalt and nickel, making it easier to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) at lower costs.
Oregon State University chemistry researcher Xiulei “David” Ji explained how they were able to increase the reactivity of iron metal to achieve impressive results. He stated that their electrode offers a higher energy density compared to current cathode materials used in electric vehicles. Since iron is much cheaper than nickel and cobalt, the cost of batteries made with this new material could be significantly lower.
The researcher pointed out that the use of scarce metals like nickel and cobalt contributes to a significant portion of the production cost of lithium-ion battery cells. If these metals are overexploited, there may be a shortage that could impact battery manufacturing. In contrast, iron is the most abundant element on Earth, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply.
Scientists mixed iron powder with special chemicals, lithium fluoride, and lithium phosphate to create iron salts that can easily change back and forth. This innovative approach allows them to incorporate iron into the battery without requiring major changes to existing battery manufacturing processes. By using familiar materials combined with iron, they were able to achieve higher energy density in a more sustainable and cost-effective way.
Ji emphasized that implementing this new cathode material does not require any significant modifications to current battery production methods. Simply replacing the cathode with the iron-based material can greatly improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of batteries without the need for additional changes to anodes, production lines, or battery designs. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the battery industry and make electric vehicles more accessible to consumers.