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In Part 1 of this series, we highlighted the features of our cyclohexasilane (CHS) liquid silicon technology that make it uniquely suited for use as a silicon precursor in a variety of applications. In Part 2 of this series, we’re going to look in-depth at the benefits that CHS technology can bring to lithium-ion batteries from both a cost and performance perspective.
Mass production of lithium-ion batteries is imminent as the global battery market is expected to rise to $41.5B by 2027, a growth rate of 11% per year. Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many of the mobile devices we use in our everyday lives, from laptops and cellphones to newer EV batteries and more. Today, manufacturers are seeking solutions, including our CHS liquid silicon technology, that can bring next-generation batteries to market sooner to keep pace.
To create next generation batteries and improve on existing designs, many factors must be carefully weighed. Demands for longer cycle life, energy density and overall performance must be balanced with the manufacturing costs, particularly with such a high demand for mass-produced products. Simultaneously, new designs and material challenges must identify new opportunity areas within the battery itself as current lithium-ion batteries are meeting their cost and energy density limits.
Taking each of these factors into consideration, more manufacturers and researchers are looking to the battery anode as the key to creating lithium ion batteries with increased energy density and faster charging while maintaining longer battery life and more charges without a hefty price tag. More specifically, they’re looking at how to introduce materials that are capable of storing greater quantities of lithium ions within the anode without increasing the battery size.
Silicon is one such material that is showing promise and potential to replace the graphite anodes that are commonly used in today’s lithium-ion batteries. Silicon can enable far more lithium-ions to be stored within the anode. Using this approach comes with risk as the silicon anode expands as it absorbs lithium ions. Damage from swelling can not only impact the size of the anode, but it can damage the protective barrier between the anode and electrolyte, destroying performance improvements as explored in this article from WIRED.
At The Coretec Group, we provide a solution using CHS that can help achieve the energy density benefits needed for next generation battery technology that silicon has to offer while managing the expansion that has limited commercialization of silicon anodes. CHS delivers silicon in a process that enables a unique anode micro-structure that manages anode expansion and damage. CHS is a low temperature silicon precursor that is a liquid at room temperature. This makes it a strong candidate for unique manufacturing processes enabling nanosilicon coated carbon nanomaterials, electrospun composites, and core shell nanostructures.
Silicon-based nanowires exhibit good electrochemical response with little capacity fade during cycling. Ultimately, using CHS for these nanowires can not only enhance the energy density through their ability to pack in more silicon, but they can also withstand more cycles with less degradation.
Next generation batteries will continue to focus on making improvements to the anode and leveraging the effectiveness of silicon. As consumer and industrial demands for battery technology increases, the industry needs to keep pace and create a solution that can reasonably meet these demands. CHS and a silicon anode Li-ion battery is that solution.
To learn more about CHS for next generation lithium-ion battery development, please see our cut sheet here or contact us at 918-494-0509.