Electrode materials

Conventional/Traditional lithium-ion batteries use graphite as anode material. Graphite provides a stable framework for the storage of lithium ions, but takes up much of the battery cell’s weight and volume. By means of metallic lithium or silicon thin layers, anodes can be fabricated which, due to their higher specific capacity, enable a significant leap in energy density.

The focus at EZB Dresden is to develop new methods for the production and processing of lithium metal and silicon anodes. By adapting the microstructure, the cycle life should be increased and the charge-state dependent volume changes should be minimized. This key component is expected to increase the energy density by more than 65 % at cell level.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries use graphite-based anodes and NCM-based cathodes. Specific adapted cathode systems are required to realize disruptive anode technologies such as Li-metal and silicon anodes, which thus allow a significant leap in energy density due to their higher specific capacity.

The EBZ Dresden develops innovative cathodes based on Ni-rich NCM materials and sulfur/carbon composites, adapted to the structural mechanical properties of lithium metal and silicon anodes. By adjusting the particle morphology, binder and conductive additive composition as well as the model-based microstructure optimization, the charge-state dependent volume changes on cell level will be minimized, thus significantly increasing energy density and cycle life. The developed cathode systems and corresponding slurry formulations will be scaled up to a roll-to-roll system based on blading experiments to enable the production of large-format cells.