Project description
Simplifying the recipe sweetens the deal when it comes to lithium–ion battery anodes
Since the first lithium–ion (Li–ion) battery was developed in the 1980s, these rechargeable batteries have become ubiquitous, freeing mobile devices such as consumer electronics and power tools from the restrictions of power cables. They are now gaining traction for use in electric vehicles and have also been implemented in grid-connected and off-grid energy storage systems. The EU-funded LiAnMAT project is out to create a step change in Li–ion battery anode production, significantly reducing additives and manufacturing steps while minimising capacity loss. The innovative anode materials that will speed production time, reduce production cost and enhance performance could pave the way for widespread adoption and benefits for people and the environment alike.
Objective
Lithium (Li) ion batteries – present in all consumer electronics and battery-powered vehicles – are produced in a capital and know-how intensive way, in particular during the initial steps of materials synthesis and cell manufacturing. The anodes of Liion batteries are currently prepared by mixing an ink of binders, solvents, silicon (Si) nanoparticles and graphite under strictly controlled conditions (order, timing, temperature), and they undergo several steps like application of the slurry to metal contacts, drying and pressing before completion of the actual anode.
In the course of the ERC Starting Grant BEGMAT we have developed a new Li-ion anode material (LiAnMAT), that (a) works without any classical additives (binder, graphite) and hence cuts down on material weight, cost, and problems in materials handling, (b) does not require mixing and application of a mixed ink to metal contacts during the preparation of the active materials – the anode material comes ready as-received on copper (Cu) metal, and (c) it does not require post-production like pressing – the films are uniformly flat as-received and can be tuned in thickness from several nm up to ~20 µm. Further, the material properties are fantastic and close to the theoretical limit for LiSi-ion batteries.
Hence, the objective of this ERC PoC Grant LiAnMAT is to develop this technology further and to achieve together with our tech transfer liaison Humboldt-Innovation GmbH, and our industrial partner VARTA Micro Innovation GmbH the following goals:
• Elimination of (most or) all conventional additives (binder, graphite, Si NPs) in anode materials.
• Minimising the number of manufacturing steps in anode and battery assembly.
• Elimination of the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) and associated capacity loss in the 1st lithiation cycle.
• Transfer of the LiAnMAT synthesis to large-scale industrial processes.
• Finding a market for LiAnMAT anodes/batteries and value creation by licensing and spin-offs.
Fields of science
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantHost institution
10117 Berlin
Germany