AABC Europe 2013 - LLIBTA Symposium: Large Lithium Ion Battery Technology and Application - Session 1

High Voltage Lithium Ion Cathodes and Electrolytes

LLIBTA Session 1 reviewed developments and future prospects of advanced cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes, and evaluated the promise to deliver better performance, life, and safety, at equal or lower cost and to provide enhanced value for large Li-Ion batteries.

Session Chairman:

Prof. Winter's main research interests are in applied electrochemistry, materials electrochemistry and inorganic chemistry and technology. He is the past president of the International Battery Materials Association (IBA), Past Chair of the Division of Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion of International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE), and Technical  Editor of the Journal of The Electrochemical Society (ECS). Currently, he is the spokesperson of the LIB2015 Innovation Alliance of the BMBF (Germany Ministry of Education and Research) and a member of the German National Platform E-Mobility (NPE).

1. Challenges for High-Voltage Li-Ion Batteries
   Prof. Martin Winter, Chair, Applied Material Science for Energy Conversion and Storage, MEET Battery Research Center, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Muenster University
   Abstract 

   

   Today, it is widely accepted that materials research in the field of electrochemical energy storage has to follow a system approach as the interactions between active materials, the electrolyte, the separator, and the various inactive materials is of similar or even higher importance as the properties and performance parameters of the individual materials only. In this presentation, we will discuss the significant influence of inactive materials on the performance of high voltage lithium ion batteries. Apart from electrolyte considerations, particular attention will be paid to conductive fillers and the Al current collector.

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2. Clariant Cathode Materials: From Lithium Iron Phosphate to High Volt Compounds
   Dr. Christian Bruenig, R&D Manager, Business Line Energy Storage, Clariant Produkte GmbH
   Abstract 

   

   During the last two decades lithium ion batteries have attracted considerable interest due to the increasing demand for energy storage systems in portable computing, telecommunication equipment and power-tools. Lithium ion batteries of high safety and cycle life are also urgently required for the growing demand for automotive applications or off-grid energy storage. This is the major reasons for many research projects dealing with new materials which can provide higher voltage or higher capacities in lithium ion batteries resulting in higher energy density.

   The business line “energy storage” of Clariant has a clear sustainability strategy: Based on the main product lithium iron phosphate olivine compounds with a higher operating voltage should be developed for future battery applications. The presentation will start with a short overview of the properties of the Clariant lithium iron phosphate. After that the efforts and challenges of the synthesis of high volt olivine compounds obtained by the substitution of iron vs. manganese, cobalt or nickel resulting in a higher energy density will be shown. Additionally to the olivine compounds the research results for preparing and testing nickel doped manganese spinels (LiMn_2-xNi_xO₄) will be described. Focused will be the synthesis and electrochemical testing of the high volt compounds. Moreover safety issues of the Clariant products will be compared to layered oxides.

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3. High-Voltage NMC Cathode Materials for xEVs: Clearing up the smoke
   Dr. Stephane Levasseur, Head of Business Venturing, Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials
   Abstract 

   

   Automotive design-in cycles force material makers to think at least two car platforms ahead of what’s on the market today. This time horizon allows for novel ways of thinking resulting in more cost effective platforms but also confronts us with difficult technical choices about the full potential of new developments.
   This presentation takes a detailed look into the technical readiness of the most obvious choices for the chemistries that will enter the market at the end of this decade.
   Topics covered:

   • Presenting Umicore, global leader in active battery materials
   • Cathode material roadmap for xEV: Where do the OEMs want to go?
   • Focus on the third generation materials: High voltage & high capacity; is this enough?
     • Price/performance comparison of both platforms: Development status of high voltage NMC, technical and economic challenges and opportunities.
     • HLM: Evaluating structural stability on the long term: What’s behind?
     • HNS: Stabilizing particle boundaries: Key for success.
      
   • And then…Kaizen versus Revolution: how to reach OEMs goals?

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4. Progress of High-Voltage Mn-Based Cathode Chemistry
   Dr. Michael Kruft, President, Toda Kyogo Europe GmbH
5. "CM3" - Wildcat's High Energy Oxide Cathode
   Dr. Steven Kaye, Chief Scientific Officer, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc.
   Abstract 

   

   Wildcat Discovery Technologies has developed a high throughput synthesis and screening platform for battery materials. Wildcat’s system produces materials in bulk form, enabling evaluation of its properties in a standard cell configuration. This allows simultaneous optimization of all aspects of the cell, including the active materials, binders, separator, electrolyte and additives. Wildcat is using this high throughput system to develop new electrode and electrolyte materials for a variety of battery types (primary, secondary, aqueous, non-aqueous). In this talk, I will discuss our latest discovery, a non-layered oxide cathode with capacity >250 mAh/g, irreversible capacity >10%, and superior rate capability, cycle life, and energy stability vs. lithium-rich layered oxides in full cells.

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