Graphene Batteries: Far Better than Li-ion Batteries and is Game Changer
As the technology field is rising day by day, the demand for many graphene-based materials and gadgets is also rising like graphene batteries.
In fact, according to a stat published on Statista global market value for graphene-based batteries was 48.8M US dollars and is expected to reach nearly 400M US dollars in 2027.
For those who don’t know, Graphene is a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms. It is the strongest and impermeable material known on earth. It is 200x times stronger than steel, 70% more conductive than copper also can be bendable to any shape. Graphene gained the title of “Wonder Material”.
Before going to graphene batteries further, we should know about Li-ion and Li-pol batteries we are using in our mobile phones, laptops, and electric cars, etc.
Working of Li-ion Battery
Li-ion or Li_pol batteries work on the principle of electrochemical potential. Li-ion battery has four parts;
- Cathode positive side
- Anode negative side
- A separator
- Liquid or polymer electrolyte
Lithium metal is very reactive. It has one electron in its outer shell. It is used in batteries in the form of oxides. The cathode of the battery is a lithium oxide, and the anode is consists of porous graphite.
When a Li-ion battery is connected to an external power source the cathode side of the battery starts to lose electrons and flow towards the anode.
Due to electrons losing, the lithium metal turns into positive lithium ions. These also start to flow to the anode side through the separator in the electrolyte medium. The separator only allows lithium ions to pass through and not electrons. These ions accumulate in the porous medium of graphite.
when all of the ions accumulate in graphite the battery is said to be fully charged.
In discharging phase, the same procedure happens in the reverse direction. When the battery is connected to the external load the reverse movement of electrons towards the cathode causes current. Then lithium ions again pass through the separator towards the cathode to form lithium oxide.
Li-ion Battery and Graphene Batteries, which one is better?
There are several drawbacks with li-ion battery;
- It has a charge cycle rate of about 500 to 600 which is very low.
- Li-ion battery has less age after manufacturing of 2 to 3 years only.
- Sensitive to very high temperatures.
- Very low charge capacity (180 Wh of energy per kilogram)
Graphene offers many unique and broad range of properties. It is used to improve already a present product in the market. Graphene is used in some proportions at the anode or both sides to improve current flow, storage capacity up to 1000 Wh/kg, and charge-discharge cycles rate.
So there is nothing like a battery made totally of graphene material. But graphene enhances the properties of batteries already present commercially.
Companies Working on Graphene Enhanced Battery Technology
Tesla
Several rumors are around like 50mile graphene battery related to Tesla. There is no direct confirmation from Tesla officials that they are working on graphene-based batteries.
Even CEO of Tesla Elon Musk said in a tweet that they can go above 500 miles per charge but there is no mention of working on graphene batteries.
Samsung
Samsung has confirmed on Samsung newsroom that they’ve successfully created graphene balls.
These graphene-based batteries will be more efficient and would charge in only 6 min which is a very low time as compared to Li-ion batteries.
But there is no confirmation that when it will be available commercially.
Huawei
Huawei also announced a major breakthrough in its research of li-ion batteries. They also succeeded in making a graphene battery that can withstand up to 60 degrees celsius with a charging time of only 5 min.
Problems with graphene batteries
Graphene Batteries are the most efficient than all the batteries present in the market. But the problem is production cost which is way higher than that of Li-ion batteries.
According to an article published on Nanowerk, it is estimated that graphene requires thousands of dollars per kg of useful graphene material.
