The Paul Scherrer Institute has developed a new protective coating to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. This sustainable process uses trifluoromethane, a byproduct of plastic production, to create a lithium fluoride layer on the cathode surface. The coating stabilizes the cathode, reducing chemical and electrochemical degradation at high voltages. Tests show that coated batteries exhibit lower impedance and higher capacity retention compared to untreated batteries. This technology promises to increase the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries, making them more suitable for electric vehicles.
