Core-shell structured Li-Fe electrode for high energy and stable thermal battery

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Thermal batteries are crucial for defensive power systems, utilizing lithium (Li) alloy anodes.
• Li alloying raises the reduction potential, decreasing voltage and energy output.
• Pure Li offers higher energy but requires containment due to its low melting point and leakage risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel electrode structure for thermal batteries that overcomes the limitations of pure lithium anodes.
• To enhance the energy output of thermal batteries while preventing lithium leakage.
• To achieve higher energy density in Li-Fe electrodes (LiFE).

Main Methods:

• Development of a core-shell structured Li-Fe electrode (LiFE).
• The core consists of high lithium content for high energy.
• The shell consists of low lithium content to prevent lithium leakage.

Main Results:

• The fabricated core-shell LiFE electrode achieved a high energy output of 9074 W s.
• This represents a 1.66-fold increase in energy compared to conventional LiFE with low lithium content (5509 W s).
• The core-shell structure effectively prevented lithium leakage.

Conclusions:

• The novel core-shell LiFE electrode design significantly enhances thermal battery energy output.
• This structure successfully addresses the challenge of lithium leakage in high-energy density thermal batteries.
• The findings pave the way for more powerful and reliable defensive power systems.