Developing chemically stabilised Ni-rich cathodes for long-life sustainable Li-ion batteries

Research question

The global energy crisis is intimately associated with the functioning of the modern and industrial society. Most of the global energy consumption comes from fossil fuels, triggering a series of environmental problems that contribute to global warming. The demand for energy storage, and Li-ion batteries will become extreme. This will present a critical raw material supply issue due to the current utilisation of rare transition metals such as Co in current cathode active materials (CAMs). The battery industry has addressed this challenge by increasing the Ni content in so-called Ni-rich CAMs. Higher Ni content reduces use of Co, increases energy density and improves the rate at which a battery can be charged or discharged. Widespread implementation has not yet been realised due to the (electro-)chemical instability of these materials. This project aims to develop sustainable bulk (doping) and surface (coating) modifications to LiNi_1-x-yCo_xMn_yO₂ cathode materials (> 90% Ni) to increase cycling life, via state-of-the-art operando characterisation methods.

Sustainability aspects

This project will address various United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). First and foremost, objective no. 7 “Affordable and Clean Energy.” Through collaboration with industry, objective 9, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”. Enhancing the quality and efficiency of the innovation process at an industrial scale, will be addressed as well.

Finally, including a sustainability assessment by the end of the project will help to detect the impact factors that have been improved the most; and what the bottlenecks are in the process. This will allow further focus in those areas for future studies into improving the sustainability impact. This approach will bring the project closer to meet all the stated SDG during throughout its duration.