Industry discovery: Paper biomass builds lithium sulfur batteries

Researchers at rensler Institute of technology have developed a patented method for making lithium-sulfur batteries using cheap and abundant paper biomass.

A major by-product in the paper industry is lignin sulfonates, sulfonated carbon waste, which is usually burned on site, and the atmosphere after the release of CO2 into sulfur has been captured for reuse.

Now researchers at rensler Institute of technology have developed a way to build rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries using this cheap and abundant paper biomass. Such batteries can be used to power large data centres and provide cheaper energy storage options for micro grids and conventional grids.

"Our research has demonstrated the potential of using industrial paper mill by-products to design sustainable low-cost electrode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries," said Lunsile, a research scientist with the Future Energy Center System(CFES). He has obtained a patent with former graduate student Lahuermukeji.

Currently rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are the main battery technology. However, in recent years, there has been a keen interest in the development of lithium-sulfur batteries. Lithium-ion batteries of lithium batteries can have more than twice the energy of lithium-ion batteries of the same quality.

The rechargeable battery has two electrodes-positive and negative. Between the electrodes is the liquid electrolyte, which is used as a medium for the chemical reaction that produces the current. In lithium sulfur cells, the cathode consists of a thiocarbon matrix and lithium metal oxides are used for the anode.

In its elemental form, sulfur is not conductive, but when combined with carbon at high temperatures, it becomes highly conductive and allows it to be used in new battery technologies. However, the challenge is that sulfur easily dissolves into the electrolyte of the battery, causing the electrodes on both sides to deteriorate after only a few cycles.

Researchers have used different forms of carbon, such as nanotubes and complex carbon foams, to limit sulphur to appropriate locations, but with limited success. "Our approach provides a simple way to create the best sulfuryl cathode from a single raw material," Simmons said.

In order to develop their methods, Rensselaer researchers collaborated with Finch Paper of GlenFalls to provide lignin sulfonates. The "brown liquid"(black syrup) is dried and then heated to about 700 degrees Celsius in a quartz tube furnace.

High heat removes most of the sulfur gas, but retains some sulfur as a poly sulfide(sulfur atomic chain) deeply embedded in the activated carbon matrix. The heating process is repeated until the appropriate amount of sulfur is captured in the carbon matrix. The material is then ground and mixed with an inert polymer adhesive to form a cathode coating on the aluminum foil.

So far, the team has created a prototype of a lithium-sulfur battery the size of a watch battery that can be recycled about 200 times. The next step is to expand the prototype to significantly increase the discharge rate and battery cycle life.

Martin Byrne, director of business development at CFES, said: "While reorienting biomass energy, researchers working with CFES are making a significant contribution to environmental protection while building more efficient batteries that provide a much-needed boost to the energy storage industry.

The initial funding for the study came from the New York State Institute for Pollution Prevention(NYSP2I). The research team then managed the Benchto Prototype grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency through NY-BEST(New York Battery and energy storage Technology) to develop the technology more comprehensively.

Simmons and his colleagues 'new lithium-ion battery research could make a significant contribution to the energy storage industry. This is an example of the new Polytechnic Institute. This is an emerging Lunsile teaching, learning and research paradigm. It is a recognition that global challenges and opportunities are so great that even the most unique talent can not be adequately addressed. The new Institute of Technology has played an earth-shaking role in the global influence of research, innovative teaching methods, and the lives of Lunsile students.

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