Researchers at the University of Sharjah have introduced an innovative electrochemical technique that has the potential to revolutionize battery performance by significantly speeding up charging times and extending the lifespan of energy storage devices. This study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, provides crucial insights into improving the efficiency of electrochemical systems, such as batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.
The new method is expected to not only reduce charging times but also enhance specific energy and operational lifespan. According to co-author Professor Anis Allagui, an expert in energy storage and supercapacitors, the research links the time and frequency responses of materials essential for advanced electrochemical devices. “The insights gained from this study have significant implications for the development of electrodes and conductors used in these devices,” he stated.
This research employs fractional diffusion theory to deepen the understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, a key aspect for creating high-performance components in modern electrochemical systems. “By improving the understanding of transient charging behaviors, the research paves the way for designing mixed ionic-electronic conductors with enhanced performance characteristics,” Professor Allagui added.
Advancements in electrochemical device operations are vital for the evolution of various energy technologies, including high-performance batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, as well as bioelectronic and neuromorphic circuits. “Understanding charge transport dynamics in these materials is crucial for optimizing device performance,” noted Professor Allagui.
While the main aim of the research is to contribute to academic knowledge, its practical applications are likely to attract interest from industries focused on energy storage and conversion technologies. “Companies and institutions developing more efficient and sustainable energy solutions may find the insights from this research valuable for guiding future material innovations and device designs,” he remarked.
The study establishes a solid experimental and theoretical framework for analyzing subdiffusive ion transport in mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) systems, a category of materials critical for advanced electrochemical applications. The authors assert that their findings provide general design principles for optimizing the performance of devices based on mixed conductors, especially where ionic dynamics are rate-limiting or memory effects are desired.
The investigation delves into the complex behavior of MIECs, which are essential for emerging technologies in energy storage, bioelectronics, and neuromorphic systems. Although the fundamental physics of these materials is well understood, the transient mechanisms governing their charging dynamics remain largely uncharted territory. The authors discovered that ionic transport in thinner MIEC films shows faster charging and discharging behaviors, following a thickness-limited scaling law accurately predicted by the fractional diffusion model.
Additionally, the research indicates that fractional impedance can serve as an effective diagnostic tool for identifying diffusive behavior and fine-tuning operational parameters of devices. “We introduce a novel approach by applying fractional diffusion models, which incorporate memory effects and non-local interactions, to better describe the dynamic charging processes in MIECs,” emphasized Professor Allagui.
The insights from this study bridge the gap between theoretical electrochemistry and practical device engineering, demonstrating how transport dimensionality can be engineered by adjusting film thickness and morphology. The authors believe their work lays a foundation for future research aimed at tuning ionic-electronic coupling through structural control, motivating the integration of fractional models into device simulation and the design of next-generation energy and electronic devices.
This research received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the Horizon Europe Advanced Grant, grant agreement number 101097688, titled “PeroSpiker.”
