Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSElectric mobility is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions and is a central component of global climate protection measures. Reliable and long-lasting batteries, as well as new, scalable process technologies for optimized semi-finished products and raw materials, are essential to sustainably advance this field.
A key challenge for current lithium-ion batteries is their dependence on active materials containing cobalt. Despite recycling, open-cast mining of cobalt remains one of the most cost-intensive main resources. It is therefore important to develop technologies that minimize the use of cobalt and other critical raw materials in order to contribute to sustainable technology development and environmentally friendly mobility.
Within the project “Functional coating of battery powders” Fraunhofer IKTS compared two powder coating technologies, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and spray drying, to promote the use of cobalt-free or low-cobalt active materials such as LNMO and NMC811. The aim was to increase the energy density and lifespan of the batteries and to prevent the decomposition of the electrolyte. To this end, Fraunhofer IKTS has produced various coating materials with regard to composition and layer thickness and examined their electrochemical properties.
The results have significant implications for electromobility: the use of Al2O3 and Li3BO3 coatings enables the use of non-critical and cost-effective materials, thereby reducing dependence on critical raw materials. In addition, the improvements in electrochemical rate capability and cycle stability lead to an increased range and faster charging speeds for batteries.
The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection as part of the “Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF)” program based on a resolution of the German Bundestag.
