SINGAPORE: A scientific breakthrough in rechargeable battery technology could result in the doubling of the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used to power smartphones, medical devices and electric vehicles.

The researchers from A*STAR's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and Quebec's Hydro-Quebec's research institute (IREQ) have synthesised silicate-based nanoboxes that could more than double the capacity compared to conventional phosphate-based cathodes, both institutes said in the joint press release on Wednesday (Feb 25).

IBN researchers have successfully achieved simultaneous control of the phase purity and nanostructure of Li2MnSiO4 for the first time, said Professor Jackie Y Ying, IBN Executive Director. This novel synthetic approach would allow us to move closer to attaining the ultrahigh theoretical capacity of silicate-based cathodes for battery applications.

The five-year research collaboration between IBN and IREQ was established in 2011. The researchers plan to further enhance their new cathode materials to create high-capacity lithium-ion batteries for commercialisation, the press release stated.

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