Investigation of photoactive properties in LiMn₂O₄ cathode for lithium-ion batteries

D A Medina-Sanchez¹, J S Martinez-Flores¹, S Rodriguez-Carrera¹, L S Valle-Garcia¹,
C D Mena-Muñoz¹, L Skokan², S Obernberger², A Ruediger², R Garza-Hernandez¹, F Morales-Morales¹,
A Benitez-Lara³, and F Ambriz-Vargas^1
1Centro de Investigaciones en Óptica, A. C., Loma del Bosque 115, Lomas del Campestre, León, Gto, México. C.P. 37150
²Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, INRS, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X1S2, Canada.
³Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Luis Enrique Erro 1, Sta María Tonanzintla, 72840 San Andrés Cholula, Puebla
Dedicated to Prof (Dr) Daniel Malacara-Hernández

In the current era of energy transition, one of the main challenges in introducing electric vehicles to the market is the long charging times compared to gasoline refueling. This communication evaluates the photoactive processes in cathode electrode used in lithium-ion batteries. This research presents the fabrication of a CR 2032-coin cell battery equipped with a transparent quartz window, allowing for monitoring of the electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries in response to light exposure. The novelty of this research lies in the experimental demonstration of the photoactive process of LiMn₂O₄ cathodes when exposed to low-power UV light (4W). Specifically, it was shown that under UV light irradiation, the photoactivity of the LiMn₂O₄ material generates electron-hole pairs, resulting in reduced electronic resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. This reduction in resistance ultimately leads to shorter charging times. © Anita Publications. All rights reserved.
Doi: 10.54955/AJP.33.12.2024.793-802
Keywords: Lithium-ion battery; Photoactive properties; LiMn₂O₄ cathode; Energy transition.

Peer Review Information
Method: Single- anonymous; Screened for Plagiarism? Yes
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