Scientists at Moscow Polytechnic University (MPU) are developing new generation electrode materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, TASS reported, citing the university's press service. The technology aims to solve two key problems of electric transport: a 40–50% drop in capacity at low temperatures and the risk of thermal runaway — battery overheating leading to ignition and gas release.
The technology is based on thin films of nanostructured tungsten oxide, deposited on conductive substrates using electrochemical electrodeposition. The obtained samples demonstrate a specific capacity of 685 mAh/g for lithium-ion batteries and 630 F/g for supercapacitors. The material is versatile and forms the basis for a unified domestic platform for electrochemical energy storage.
It is important that electrodes account for almost 60% of the battery cost, and until now, there was no domestic technology for their production in Russia. Tungsten oxide also changes light transmission under voltage, which opens up possibilities for use in smart glass with adjustable transparency.
Researchers plan to refine the synthesis technology and film deposition modes, produce prototype samples of a hybrid energy storage system, and test them under laboratory conditions, after which they will develop technological regulations and prepare recommendations for scaling up for industrial application.
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