Molybdenum is expected to solve the existing problems of lithium sulfur batteries or can affect the price of cobalt nickel

A six-figure rise in cobalt prices seems inevitable because the hype over demand for battery materials in electric vehicles shows no sign of cooling.

Despite falling cobalt prices this week, prices rose another 24 per cent in 2018, more than four times the new low set in early 2016. Batteries -- mainly used for mobile phones -- currently account for 55 % of cobalt demand but will rise dramatically as global carmakers move away from internal combustion engines.

Nickel and manganese and cobalt are key elements in the battery favored by most car manufacturers around the world, and were also hit by positive sentiment trading on Friday, at $13,315 per ton, a one-third higher than in the past 12 months. Although only 5% of the nickel production entered the battery, the EV power plant was less than 1%.

Supply concerns are reflected not only in the price of battery materials, but also in the feverish pace of research into new technologies to reduce loading or find alternatives to expensive raw materials.

Earlier this year, us researchers touted a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery technology, which replaces cobalt with iron and is trading at only partial prices.

Lithium-sulfur batteries are now known as the future of the industry.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been widely studied and considered to be the natural evolution of lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the instability of sulfur, the technology of size and charging limitation is far from sufficient.

In a study published this week in the journal Nature nanotechnology, us researchers said this week that they have found a way to address these shortcomings by creating lithium sulfur batteries that are cheaper, lighter, and safer (not to catch fire). And more effectively maintain the existing lithium ion technology.

According to Phys. org's report, a research team led by KyeongjaeCho, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Texas, found that Molybdenum, which is mainly used as an alloy for the steel industry, solves lithium sulfur batteries:

Molybdenum is combined with two sulfur atoms to form a material that regulates the thickness of the coating, and the coating is thinner than the silk of the spider web.

It improves stability and compensates for the poor conductivity of sulfur, thereby increasing power density and making lithium sulfur batteries more commercially viable.

Lithium-sulfur batteries use solid lithium metal anodes and carbon catheters and do not require nickel or cobalt:

"This is a long time that everyone is looking for. This is a breakthrough.

"We are taking this step and will completely stabilize the material and bring it to practical commercial technology," Cho said.

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