{"id":24141,"date":"2025-05-07T13:09:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T18:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/engineering\/?p=24141"},"modified":"2025-05-07T13:09:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T18:09:19","slug":"niu-lab-boosts-energy-and-safety-of-next-gen-li-ion-batteries-with-new-coating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/engineering\/niu-lab-boosts-energy-and-safety-of-next-gen-li-ion-batteries-with-new-coating\/","title":{"rendered":"Niu lab boosts energy and safety of next gen li-ion batteries with new coating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A spray-on coating developed by Professor Junjie Niu, materials science & engineering, and his research team has improved the energy density of lithium-metal batteries by 20 to 30 percent \u2013while also reducing the fire risk that has long limited their commercial use. The results, recently published in the journal Small<\/em><\/a>, could accelerate the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe results surpassed our expectations,\u201d Niu said. \u201cOur coating offers a dual benefit \u2013better performance and better safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niu\u2019s research focuses on lithium-metal (LM) batteries, a newer type of lithium-based battery that replaces graphite electrodes with solid lithium. LM batteries can hold significantly more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries, making them attractive for high-demand needs, such as electric vehicles or energy storage for the grid, Niu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the current li-ion batteries, you can drive, let\u2019s say, 300 miles on a charge,\u201d he said. \u201cWith a LM battery, you can double the energy density \u2013 maybe 500 to 600 miles. That\u2019s even better than a gas-powered vehicle!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there’s a catch: LM batteries are notoriously unstable. The problem stems from dendrites \u2013needle-like structures of lithium that form during charging. Dendrites can pierce the battery’s electrolyte, causing short circuits and even fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address this, Niu\u2019s team developed a spray-on coating that combines MXene compounds \u2013known for high electrical conductivity \u2013 with a large-molecule polymer that stabilizes the battery surface. The polymer helps prevent dendrite formation, while the MXene improves charge transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The innovation targets a key challenge that has stalled commercial rollout of lithium-metal batteries, despite their promise and the considerable industry investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research was completed with a grant from the National Science Foundation. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A spray-on coating developed by Professor Junjie Niu, materials science & engineering, and his research team has improved the energy density of lithium-metal batteries by 20 to 30 percent \u2013while also reducing the fire risk that has long limited their …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":836,"featured_media":24144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[95,25,67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy-sustainability","category-news","category-research"],"yoast_head":"\nCollege of Engineering & Applied Science<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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