Low-cost iron trichloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Zhantao Liu, Jue Liu, Simin Zhao, Sangni Xun, Paul Byaruhanga, Shuo Chen, Yuanzhi Tang, Ting Zhu and Hailong Chen ()
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Zhantao Liu: Georgia Institute of Technology
Jue Liu: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Simin Zhao: Georgia Institute of Technology
Sangni Xun: Georgia Institute of Technology
Paul Byaruhanga: University of Houston
Shuo Chen: University of Houston
Yuanzhi Tang: Georgia Institute of Technology
Ting Zhu: Georgia Institute of Technology
Hailong Chen: Georgia Institute of Technology

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 11, 1492-1500

Abstract: Abstract The dominant chemistries of lithium-ion batteries on the market today still rely on flammable organic liquid electrolytes and cathodes containing scarce metals, such as cobalt or nickel, raising safety, cost and environmental concerns. Here we show a FeCl3 cathode that costs as little as 1% of the cost of a LiCoO2 cathode or 2% of a LiFePO4 cathode. Once coupled with a solid halide electrolyte and a lithium-indium (Li–In) alloy anode, it enables all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries without any liquid components. Notably, FeCl3 exhibits two flat voltage plateaux between 3.5 and 3.8 V versus Li+/Li, and the solid cell retains 83% of its initial capacity after 1,000 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.95%. Combined neutron diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy characterizations reveal a Li-ion (de)intercalation mechanism together with a Fe2+/Fe3+ redox process. Our work provides a promising avenue for developing sustainable battery technologies with a favourable balance of performance, cost and safety.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01431-6

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