Processing of water-based LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 pastes for manufacturing lithium ion battery cathodes

Abstract

In order to meet the demand for more ecological and economic fabrication of lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, water is considered as an alternative solvent for electrode paste preparation. In this study, we report on the feasibility of water-based processing of LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2-based pastes for manufacturing cathode electrodes. The influence of the total solid content, the amount of conductive agent and binder materials on paste rheology and the final electrode properties was investigated. Suitable paste formulations which enable favourable paste flow behaviour, appropriate electrode properties and good electrochemical performance have been found. Results show that a substitution of the conventional organic solvent-based manufacturing route for LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 cathodes by water-based processing exhibits a promising way to realise Li-ion batteries with comparable electrochemical behaviour, while avoiding toxic processing aids and reducing overall manufacturing costs.

NCA, NCM811, and the Route to Ni-Richer Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…For these reasons, water-based processing is widely used for graphite anodes. On another hand, it is difficult to adopt this process for cathodes, due to adverse effects of water on NCM materials of different compositions [286][287][288][289]. In particular, transition metal oxides produce basic solutions in water [290][291][292][293].…”

Drying Temperature and Capillarity-Driven Crack Formation in Aqueous Processing of Li-Ion Battery Electrodes

“…Crack spacing (Figure 7a) was calculated with the proportionality expression developed by Lee et al, 18 35 , where λ is the proportionality constant. In this expression, there is a trade-off between the physical aspects of the slurry and the thermodynamic properties from the solvent.…”

Roll‐to‐roll manufacturing method of aqueous‐processed thick LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2 electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries

“…27 Çetinel and Bauer investigated the effect of electrode composition using CMC-fluoro acrylic copolymer and concluded that the aqueous dispersing media for NMC cathode were quite feasible. 28 PEO, on the other hand, is mostly used in lithium-sulfur. [29][30][31] In addition, PEO has been utilized in solid-state electrolyte for solid-state LIB applications.…”

“…Loeffler et al demonstrated that NMC cathode prepared with CMC binder against graphite anode preserved 70% of its initial capacity even after 2000 cycles, although they observed cracking on the surface of the electrode 27 . Çetinel and Bauer investigated the effect of electrode composition using CMC‐fluoro acrylic copolymer and concluded that the aqueous dispersing media for NMC cathode were quite feasible 28 . PEO, on the other hand, is mostly used in lithium‐sulfur 29‐31 .…”