Are you aware that the electric vehicle market has grown by 109% in 2021 from a year ago? (Source: Economic Times) There is a growing outcry to use sustainable energy options, which will help us have a cleaner environment in future. It has led to increasing demand for electronic vehicles. They require power provisions over long periods. They are usually characterised by high energy density, specific energy, and power to weight ratio. Several options are available, but Boron is increasingly the material of choice for EV batteries. Researchers are inserting a nano-coating of Boron Nitride that can stabilise the solid electrolytes in Lithium batteries.
Boron is increasingly finding
use in EV batteries
There is an inherent need to
replace gas-run vehicles and move them to sustainable technology. It is why we
see a spurt in the number of EV batteries. It is interesting to note that two
of the components in these batteries – Boron and hydrogen are available in
plenty. Increasingly, there are capacitor types which are made from borates.
Are you aware that
supercapacitors rely on electrolytes which contain Boron? They can store ten
times the amount of charge that traditional batteries store. Boron is also
known to have the highest energy density and is slowly becoming used in
next-gen power technologies. Scientists are exploring its use in advanced
batteries and car engines as it can withstand high temperatures.
Using Boron based materials
can enhance battery strength
The commercial applications of
boron-based materials are being tested to improve the electrolytes and anodes.
They are also being used for hybrid electric vehicles and high-power tools.
Various borate compounds, like lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), are being
used in Lithium-ion batteries. Using the borate compounds in solid electrolyte
interphase (SEI) reduces the decomposition of the cathode and anode.
The surface interface can be
improved when borates are used in electrolytes or applied in anodes. It is
because an essential layer gets formed during cycling. It can also be used to
modify the graphite surface. Treating with borates at less than 1000 degrees
Celsius can improve the life cycle, rate capability, and capacity significantly.
Borate chemicals are increasingly being used in electrical capacitors and
supercapacitors too. They form a critical cog in hybrid electric vehicle
technology.
Benefits of using Boron in EV
batteries
Higher energy density
Boron is known to have more energy
density than Lithium. Moreover, it is likely to be at the forefront of all EV
batteries. As the energy density is higher, the battery has the ability to emit
charge for a longer time. It is ideal for use cases where you cannot have a
large battery but need high energy output. No wonder, Boron-based batteries are
increasingly being used in EV batteries.
No overheating risks
There have been incidents where
Lithium-ion batteries caught fire due to overheating. It can be a major security
issue for EV vehicles. It becomes essential to consider safer options as
passengers have precious lives at hand. You must know that Boron-based
batteries have more charging threshold. It essentially means that they can be
charged more times without being overheated. It can save resources over time.
It leads to lower
manufacturing cost
As the number of EV vehicles
rises, there is an increasing need to have low-cost battery options. You must
be pleased to know that Boron-based batteries are a more affordable option as a
component for industrial EV batteries. You can help reduce production costs by
at least 30% over standard Lithium-ion options. Scientists must find a better
alternative to make such batteries.
The bottom-line: Where
Boron-based chemicals score higher
It is a known fact that lithium
batteries wear out faster due to heat fluctuations over time. There is an
expansion in the cells, which lowers voltage strength and leads to leaking
electrons. Boron has brilliant mechanical properties, which provide better electrical
conductivity, and they are more stable during charging and discharging cycles.
The availability of Boron is high, and it is gradually seeing increasing use in
various EV batteries. Very soon, boron-based chemicals will be the dominant
option.
Conclusion
Various governments are trying to
redesign vehicles and introduce sustainable options. There is increased
discussion about finding replacement materials for lithium-ion batteries. Boron
can be a great option, and they have relatively high availability. Electricity
can be produced directly, and there are several benefits that Boron brings with
it.
There are increased reports of Li-ion batteries restricting the driving range of electronic vehicles. There is a need for batteries that provide more power density and energy. The battery must have higher service life too. There is a move towards Boron-doped cathodes, which can retain most initial capacity even after a thousand cycles.
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