Periodic Reporting for period 3 - CoFBAT (Advanced material solutions for safer and long-lasting high capacity Cobalt Free Batteries for stationary storage applications)
Reporting period: 2022-05-01 to 2024-04-30
As conclusion of the action COFBAT has succeeded in developing novel chemistries for anode, cathode and gelified electrolyte. A cathode cobalt free based on Lithium nickel manganese oxide has been developed with specifical capacity of 147 mAh/gr. Two anodes have been selected,a metal doped Titanium niobate for anode, with a specific capacity of 266 mAh/gr capacity has been obtained, and insitu graphite coated Silicium nanoparticles and their process has been implemented and a composite made up of silicium graphite anode material (80%-20%) achieved with a specific capacity of 900 mAh/gr. In terms of gel polymer electrolyte material has been produced and adjusted to the specific cathode -anode. Three different compositions of gel polymer have been produced, showing the versatility of the technology.Project has been demonstrated in different cell configurations, 200, 500 mah pouch cells and 21700 cells. Novel cells allow to provide solutions for energy storage and grid stabilization with a cost of system 137 to 228 euros/kwh. Safety has been evaluated showing larger stabililty. CoFBAT has defined a recycling concept and validated the recycling of elements 97% recycling of Nickel, and manganese and 57-97% for lithium. Modelization of electrode performance has been validated increasing knowledge on materials as well a post mortem analysis has allowed to understand materials.In terms of dissemination 20 public deliverables, 8 papers published and managed to disseminate the project holding 3 webinars.
CoFBAT has advanced in analysis of different cells,Analysis of aging,Post-mortem analysis and identification of factors leading to a low performance in novel pouch cells have been identified as well as materials interaction within the cell that allow to improve synthesis to reduce ion diffusivity, leaching of elements.
Life cycle assessment has been carried out for novel cell process. CoFBAT has developed a recycling process in which the recycling efficiency is over 50 wt.% and tested recycled materials like titanium , niobium in the anode materials. In terms of life cycle assessment the most preferable approach for global warming effect is the use of graphite, followed by the titanium niobate.The results indicate the significant environmental impact of not having cobalt in the cell chemistry compared to cobalt systems. Regarding the Cumulative Energy Demand, the system using titanium niobate and lithium niquel manganate has the smallest contribution. Regarding the Mineral, fossil & resource depletion, the lowest indicator value corresponds also to the use of titanium niobate, approximately 5 times lower than the baseline The most preferable approach for this environmental characteristic is the titanium niobate anode
Dissemination activities in CoFBAT have been made through regular updates on website., attending more than 40 people each webinar. 8 newsletters have been distributed and 20 public deliverables have been submitted and publications in open source Zenodo have been made, CoFBAT has attended 5 cluster events. CoFBAT has been present in 14 conferences and exhibitions like the Battery Innovations Days (BID) in 2023, the 5th International Forum on Progress and Trends in Battery and Capacitor Technologies 2021 .3 Promotional videos were released and one final event was organized.
In case of the innovation capacity and the integration of new knowledge, strengthening the competitiveness and growth of companies CoFBAT’s cobalt-free battery cell contributes strongly to the socially and environmentally strong impact of developing a new generation of batteries which will be less dependence on the geopolitical instable cobalt mines. Throughout project 8 PhD students were involved.