The irradiation tolerance of key battery materials is identified. The radiation tolerance of energy storage batteries is a crucial index for universe exploration or nuclear rescue work, but there is no thorough investigation of Li metal batteries. Here, we systematically explore the energy storage behavior of Li metal batteries under gamma rays.
Degradation of the performance of Li metal batteries under gamma radiation is linked to the active materials of the cathode, electrolyte, binder, and electrode interface. Specifically, gamma radiation triggers cation mixing in the cathode active material, which results in poor polarization and capacity.
NCM811||Li batteries have the best tolerance to irradiation, with decreasing values of capacity retention following gamma irradiation for LFP||Li, NCM811||Li, and LCO||Li batteries of 18.9%, 21.3%, and 23.9%, respectively.
The effect of gamma radiation on the interface between the cathode and anode in Li metal batteries deteriorates the ion transport kinetic behavior. As shown in Figure S26, the R b and R ct of Li metal batteries significantly increase under gamma radiation.
We previously explored the effects of supergravity fields on Li metal batteries. 18 It was demonstrated that a supergravity field homogenizes Li deposition and stabilizes the solid electrolyte interface on the electrode surface, ultimately conferring enhanced cycling stability to Li metal batteries.
Also, gamma radiation has a potential impact on the three cathode active materials, with capacity retention rates of NCM811-20||Li, LFP-20||Li, and LCO-20||Li batteries falling successively to 73.1%, 84.4%, and 86.8% after 350 cycles ( Figure 1 D).