AEROXIDE® alumina increases performance and lifetime of battery cells
The Challenge
Cathode active materials (CAMs) and anode active materials (AAMs) are essential for the performance of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The cathode is the positive electrode of a Li-ion battery, and the source of its energy. The higher the energy density of a LIB cell, the greater the stress on the cathode material and the shorter its service life.
Anode active material is the counterpart of cathode active materials and host the Lithium-ions on the negative electrode. Graphite is the most common AAM, but nowadays more silicon-based anode materials are used to increase the energy density and the fast-chargeability of Lithium-ion batteries. However, Si-based materials such as pure Si/C- or even SiOx/C-based composites have a significant drawback: their lifetime is limited, and the capacity of the battery drops quite fast.
Therefore, the LIB industry needs to improve these materials to extend the range for a single charge of battery electric vehicles.
Evonik’s Smart Solutions
Dry coating with AEROXIDE® fumed metal oxides improves the lifetime of cathode and anode active materials and therefore the performance and lifetime of the whole battery cell.
CAM dry coating:
AEROXIDE® fumed alumina shields the cathode active material and protects it from unwanted side reactions with decomposition products of the electrolyte. Especially AEROXIDE® Alu 130 suppresses the degeneration of cathode materials very effectively and increases battery lifetime.
Next generation CAM dry coating:
Evonik has just developed a patented new product for dry coating of next generation cathode active materials which outperforms competitive CAM coating additives: EXP 1000. This specialty is a product of AEROXIDE® Alu 130, doped with a Li-source.
Applying EXP 1000 to these new cathode materials shows a very good battery performance and lifetime, which can be even higher compared to AEROXIDE® Alu 130.
AAM dry coating:
AEROXIDE® fumed alumina improves the formation of a protective solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the surface of Si-based anode active materials. Especially AEROXIDE® Alu 130 with its high surface area and excellent dispersibility during dry coating process leads to a very homogenous coating of AAM.
