| Iron-based cathodes for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries |
|
| SweGRIDS research area | Materials for Power Grid and Storage |
| SweGRIDS project code | MTL4 |
| Project type | PhD |
| Status | stopped before exam |
| Researcher | Ida Ekebrink-Åkerblom (webpage) |
| University | UU |
| Project period | 2018-09-01 to 2020-0x |
| Project supervisor | Daniel Brandell (webpage) |
| Industrial sponsors | Höganäs |
Project abstract
The commercial lithium (Li) ion battery technology relies today heavily on expensive transition metals such as cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni). LiCoO2 has so far been to most common cathode material for Li-ion batteries, while the new generation of cathode materials are based on LiNiyCozMn1-y-zO2 (NMC) and LiNiyCozAl1-y-zO2 (NCA). Neither Co nor Ni are abundant in nature, which increased concerns regarding the price and availability of these elements for large-scale batteries (e.g., for grid applications) where cost is an important parameter. In fact, the price of Co increased by 130% in 2017, and more than 50% of the Co commercial used in Li-ion batteries is mined DR Congo, where child labour and military conflict are associated with substantial parts of this mining. Therefore, cathode materials based on abundant elements such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are essential to guarantee low-cost cells in large scale applications.
We here aim to synthesize new, low cost Fe-based cathode materials based for either Li-ion or Na-ion batteries, with the goal of improving either the energy and power density, or the cost, as compared to established cell chemistries. This can be achieved through either low raw material cost, low process cost, or preferably both. The expected outcome is novel Fe-based Li- and Na-ion low-cost battery electrode materials targeting grid storage and stationary applications.
Summary of work
2018. Electrochemical analysis of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material from three different industrial sources was started. A standard operating procedure (OCP) for electrode coating of LFP was established. Na4Fe(CN)6 as a possible reference electrode was synthesized and initial evaluation was performed.
Event log
2018. Attending kick off meeting and research visit at Höganäs AB.
Project reference-group
Kristina Edström, UU
Hilmar Vidarsson, Höganäs AB
Björn Skårman, Höganäs AB
Daniel Brandell, UU
Reza Younesi, UU
Publications by this researcher
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Publication list last updated from DiVA on 2024-01-10 15:22.
Page started: 2018-09-01
Last generated: 2024-01-10