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High-quality pure AEROSIL® fumed oxides and AEROXIDE® fumed metal oxides increase the safety, durability and performance of batteries.
Electronic devices and cars need batteries to run. And Evonik gives batteries their power. Our high-quality pure AEROSIL® fumed silica and AEROXIDE® fumed metal oxides increase the performance of lead-acid batteries and of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) in electronics and electric vehicles (EV).
Innovative battery technology is now more important than ever because it is the key to realizing climate-friendly electromobility across the globe. With our Next Generation Solutions, EV battery manufacturers can optimize the performance of batteries in terms of both safety and driving distance.
AEROXIDE® products are used in several in-cell applications: Dry coating of cathode active materials with AEROXIDE® fumed metal oxides improves the performance and lifetime of lithium-ion battery cells. And in high-performance LIB separators, AEROXIDE® fumed alumina can be used for ultra-thin, homogeneous ceramic separator coatings or as ceramic filler inside the membrane, resulting in higher thermal stability of separators. Evonik also offers AERODISP® – ready to use alumina dispersions, tailor made for specific coating application and compatible with a variety of different binders.
Evonik’s research and development teams continuously work on clever solutions for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Battery manufacturers are exploring new battery pack designs without module housings, known as “cell-to-pack” (CTP) design. This approach reduces weight, increases energy density, lowers cost, and simplifies manufacturing. AEROSIL® fumed silica, AEROXIDE® Alu and AEROXIDE® TiO2 PF 2 can contribute to innovative formulations for thermally stable silicone, thermally conductive adhesives, and thermal insulation materials.
Key benefits of Evonik’s silica and metal oxides for batteries
- Improved performance, enhanced safety and longer lifetime for lithium-ion batteries
- Efficient pore generators in PE separators for lead-acid batteries
- Longer lifetime of stationary lead-acid batteries through effective electrolyte gelling
Lead-acid batteries
Precipitated silica from Evonik, such as SIPERNAT® 325 AP, is the main component of PE separators for lead-acid batteries in cars. Fumed silica (AEROSIL® 200 V) is applied during the production of gel electrolytes in stationary lead batteries to increase the lifetime of the battery.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIB)
Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have become indispensable in consumer electronics and computer technology and are now an inherent part of our everyday lives. Moreover, they enable sustainable technologies for a greener future, such as electromobility and the rapidly growing market for renewable energy storage systems. Whether they are used in a smartphone or an electric vehicle, the function of lithium-ion batteries is always the same – and so are the challenges: handling high energy density and offering a long service life with thousands of charging cycles.
Whether miniature or large, lithium-ion batteries benefit from Evonik’s metal oxides in many ways:
AEROXIDE® fumed alumina can be used either as a ceramic coating on top of the polymer separator or as additives inside the separator to increase the safety of the battery cell. A dry coating of fumed aluminum oxide (AEROXIDE® Alu 130) or fumed titanium dioxide (AEROXIDE® TiO2 P 25) on the cathode active materials increases battery durability and performance. Fumed aluminum and titanium oxides, preferably hydrophobic AEROXIDE® Alu C 805 and AEROXIDE® TiO2 T 805, can be used in next generation polymer electrolytes.
EV batteries
The shift from gasoline-powered combustion engines in cars to hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EV) has put lithium-ion batteries at the heart of modern electromobility. High demands exist for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles: They must feature a very high energy density, exhibit a suitable fast charge ability, and provide enough power for a long driving range while also meeting stringent safety requirements. Therefore, high-performance materials need to be used for the electrodes, within the separator, and in the electrolyte of EV batteries.
Evonik provides experience and expertise, as well as high-performance AEROXIDE® metal oxides, AERODISP® fumed alumina dispersions and AEROSIL® fumed oxides for applications in EV battery cells and battery packs.
AEROXIDE® products in in-cell applications for EV batteries
In-cell applications:
- Separator coating: A very thin layer of AEROXIDE® fumed alumina limits shrinkage of the membrane at higher temperatures. This helps to prevent thermal runaway and improves the safety standards of lithium-ion battery cells. Ready-to-use AERODISP® fumed alumina dispersions enable the preparation of these ultra-thin (≤ 1 μm), homogeneous ceramic coatings, which is not possible using conventional coarser particles.
- Ceramic filler inside the separator: nanostructured fumed aluminum oxide as filler results in excellent mechanical and thermal membrane properties combined with a high porosity. This enables the manufacturing of very thin separators ( ≤ 10 µm) with a high safety.
- Cathode active materials: Dry coating with AEROXIDE® fumed metal oxides stabilize cathode active material particles and help to avoid cracks during charge and discharge. This significantly increases the rate capability and capacity retention of lithium-ion battery cells and therefore the overall lifetime of the battery.
- Solid-state batteries: Fumed aluminum and titanium oxides, preferably the hydrophobic variants AEROXIDE® Alu C 805 and AEROXIDE® TiO2 T 805, can be used as components in next generation in solid-state polymer electrolytes.
Battery pack assembly:
- AEROSIL® fumed oxides provide excellent rheological and reinforcement properties in EV battery structural adhesives.