Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SiGNE (Composite Silicon/Graphite Anodes with Ni-Rich Cathodes and Safe Ether based Electrolytes forHigh Capacity Li-ion Batteries)
Période du rapport: 2022-09-01 au 2024-02-29
SiGNE will deliver an advanced lithium-ion battery (LIB) aimed at the High Capacity Approach targeted in this work programme. Specific objectives are to (1) Develop high energy density, safe and manufacturable Lithium ion battery (2) optimize the full-cell chemistry to achieve beyond state of art performance (3) Demonstrate full-cell fast charging capability (4) Show high full-cell cycling efficiency with >80% retentive capacity (5) Demonstrate high sustainability of this new battery technology and the related cost effectiveness through circular economy considerations and 2nd life battery applications built upon demonstrator and (6) Demonstrate high cost-competitiveness, large-scale manufacturability and EV uptake readiness. SiGNE will allow rapid industrialization of its advanced materials and battery chemistry innovations by leveraging consortium expertise across the entire battery value chain and with specific work packages on material upscaling (WP4) for manufacturability and commercialization (WP8). This will be supported and driven by stakeholder engagements beyond the consortium (e.g. partners are key working group members of the Battery Europe partnership Alliance (BEPA). This pooling of expertise and availabilty of this expertise to the emergent battery industry is crucial to the European Battery Aliance34 goal of ‘developing and strengthening a highly skilled workforce in all parts of the value chain’. The SiGNE will focus on a sustainable battery production and design for recovery and reuse fits with the EU Batteries and Eco-Design directives. SiGNE will maximise the scientific, industrial and societal impact by delivering on clear targets both within and beyond the immediate project scope and duration. Ultimately, the SiGNE cell chemistry is designed to meet the high ED, safety and long-life requirements of EVs, allowing for broader user acceptance, manufacturability to drive deep market penetration, high reliability, cost-effectiveness and more importantly- sustainability and therfore fully aligns with European ambitions
Within WP1, the SiNW@Gr composites for anode material are synthesised and characterized. The synthesis procedure is optimized to achieve 20% Si in anode material (Gen1) and is used as a benchmark for reaction optimization to achieve 30% Si in Gen2 and Gen3 with optimised Si capacity. The slurry preparation is optimized with CID to use water-soluble binder and the thickness to achieve target mass loading. The SiNW@Gr electrodes are characterized structurally and electrochemically and based on the achieved results the slurry processing and electrode preparation are further optimized.
WP2 aims to produce novel electrolytes and separators not only presenting enhanced safety and sustainability features but also able to boost the electrochemical performance of the negative and positive electrode materials proposed in the project. The herein explored electrolyte formulations consisting on glyoxal-based solvents in combination with imide-based salts can significantly reduce the overall fire risk of the cell. Moreover, the SIGNE electrolyte solutions are formulated considering its further recyclability, positively impacting in the environmental fingerprint of the targeted cells. On the other hand, the fibre-based separators presents an interesting alternative to common polyolefin-type separators. This new separator technology utilises robust paper-making processes as well as renewable raw materials to manufacture a sustainable, high-end product for rechargeable batteries.
Within WP3, active materials with high Ni and low Co content are synthesized and characterised at the lab-scale. Gen1 materials are used to benchmark the performance of Ni-rich NCM.
Within WP4, Pre-lithiation of anode material is needed to compensate an intrinsic Li capacity loss during 1st cycle. It is to be performed in a semi-continuous, mass production applicable technique, for which roll-to-roll coating is well suited. Processing needs to be adopted and optimized for the materials used and developed within this project.
WP5 aims to harmonise the components developed in the project at full Li-ion cell level. For this, electrode materials will be processed and integrated in full cell systems (coin and pouch cell level). Electrochemical characterisation with the analysis and modelling of electrochemical and interfacial properties to identify ageing and optimise performance will be executed.
WP 6 aims to define KPIs and specifications for the prototype prismatic cells, Design and detailed performance modelling of prismatic cells and to define testing protocols for the validation of prototype cells in end user applications
In WP7 TES have identified the recycling rate targets specified in the new battery directive, evaluated existing recycling processes, and developed new operational units to suit the characteristics of SiGNE cells. These units include selective recovery of cathode active materials, recovery of anode active materials, and purification and recovery of electrolytes.
WP8 deals with the scale-up of the developed materials, followed by the design and production of the prototype cells. The aim is to produce 30 prismatic 51 Ah prototype cells. Ferrari and CRF will receive external CAD drawings and technical drawings for their respective pack design. A cell data sheet and production reports will be delivered at the end. Here it can be demonstrated whether the developed materials are suitable for industrial scale-up production and introduced into the supply chain at industrial scale.
WP2 aims to produce novel electrolytes and separators not only presenting enhanced safety and sustainability features but also able to boost the electrochemical performance of the negative and positive electrode materials proposed in the project. The herein explored electrolyte formulations consisting on glyoxal-based solvents in combination with imide-based salts can significantly reduce the overall fire risk of the cell. Moreover, the SIGNE electrolyte solutions are formulated considering its further recyclability, positively impacting in the environmental fingerprint of the targeted cells. On the other hand, the fibre-based separators presents an interesting alternative to common polyolefin-type separators. This new separator technology utilises robust paper-making processes as well as renewable raw materials to manufacture a sustainable, high-end product for rechargeable batteries.
Within WP3, active materials with high Ni and low Co content are synthesized and characterised at the lab-scale. Gen1 materials are used to benchmark the performance of Ni-rich NCM.
Within WP4, Pre-lithiation of anode material is needed to compensate an intrinsic Li capacity loss during 1st cycle. It is to be performed in a semi-continuous, mass production applicable technique, for which roll-to-roll coating is well suited. Processing needs to be adopted and optimized for the materials used and developed within this project.
WP5 aims to harmonise the components developed in the project at full Li-ion cell level. For this, electrode materials will be processed and integrated in full cell systems (coin and pouch cell level). Electrochemical characterisation with the analysis and modelling of electrochemical and interfacial properties to identify ageing and optimise performance will be executed.
WP 6 aims to define KPIs and specifications for the prototype prismatic cells, Design and detailed performance modelling of prismatic cells and to define testing protocols for the validation of prototype cells in end user applications
In WP7 TES have identified the recycling rate targets specified in the new battery directive, evaluated existing recycling processes, and developed new operational units to suit the characteristics of SiGNE cells. These units include selective recovery of cathode active materials, recovery of anode active materials, and purification and recovery of electrolytes.
WP8 deals with the scale-up of the developed materials, followed by the design and production of the prototype cells. The aim is to produce 30 prismatic 51 Ah prototype cells. Ferrari and CRF will receive external CAD drawings and technical drawings for their respective pack design. A cell data sheet and production reports will be delivered at the end. Here it can be demonstrated whether the developed materials are suitable for industrial scale-up production and introduced into the supply chain at industrial scale.
The high-content Si anode material will significantly improve the performance and cycle life of the cell compared to the state-of-the-art. The electrochemical and material (ex-situ, in-situ, post-mortem) tests on a lab scale will contribute to the understanding of the basic processes during lithiation/delithiation of the Si anode material. The SiNW synthesis scale-up will be beneficial for further implementation of SiNW in large scale applications. The result of this project from an anode perspective will be 30% Si anode material with optimized stable capacity during cycling.
Generally, the sustainability and recyclability of both electrolyte and separator components in the cell is overlooked. Within SIGNE project, we demonstrate the possibility of developing safer electrolytes and separators with a lower environmental fingerprint without risking their performance. The electrolytes designed demonstrated a lower flammability that those employed in commercial devices but delivering similar performance. Moreover, SIGNE electrolytes are designed towards its further recyclability with the aim of achieving a complete closed-loop recycling. Fibre-based separators that provide beyond state-of-the-art features involves further work on process stability and quality. A significant reduction of separator thickness and increased porosity will be indicative that high energy density at high C-rates can be realized. The absence of a melting point when using cellulose-based fibres is key for high thermal stability and thus inhibiting internal shorts due to separator shrinkage. Its advantage will be proven when being benchmarked in abusive conditions in WP8. Prolonging the start or even prevention of the thermal runaway reaction could lead to significant safety improvements in future cell designs.
Generally, the sustainability and recyclability of both electrolyte and separator components in the cell is overlooked. Within SIGNE project, we demonstrate the possibility of developing safer electrolytes and separators with a lower environmental fingerprint without risking their performance. The electrolytes designed demonstrated a lower flammability that those employed in commercial devices but delivering similar performance. Moreover, SIGNE electrolytes are designed towards its further recyclability with the aim of achieving a complete closed-loop recycling. Fibre-based separators that provide beyond state-of-the-art features involves further work on process stability and quality. A significant reduction of separator thickness and increased porosity will be indicative that high energy density at high C-rates can be realized. The absence of a melting point when using cellulose-based fibres is key for high thermal stability and thus inhibiting internal shorts due to separator shrinkage. Its advantage will be proven when being benchmarked in abusive conditions in WP8. Prolonging the start or even prevention of the thermal runaway reaction could lead to significant safety improvements in future cell designs.