Salgenx, developer of graphene-based salt water flow battery technology, has announced the development of a method to transform dendrites into a key component for high-performance cathode metallic materials in the saltwater flow battery.
This new approach aims to not only mitigate the problems caused by dendrites but to also leverage their unique properties to enhance battery efficiency and longevity.
Dendrites are needle-like metallic structures that form on battery electrodes during the charging and discharging cycles. These structures can lead to short circuits, increased resistance, capacity loss, and significant safety hazards, severely impacting battery performance and lifespan.
The novel approach involves coating dendrites with graphene through a proprietary heat treating process. This transformation utilizes the high surface area of dendrites to create highly efficient cathode materials, offering numerous benefits for battery technology.
The proprietary process begins with embedding dendritic structures in a specialized mixture that supports uniform exposure during heat treatment. The mixture is then heated to approximately 800 C in an inert atmosphere, which facilitates the formation of graphene-like layers directly on the dendritic surfaces.
This in situ heat treating process ensures that the graphene forms uniformly and adheres well to the dendritic structures, enhancing their electrical conductivity and overall performance.
This technology can, according to SalgenX, deliver batteries with higher capacity, greater efficiency, and longer lifespans.
