Next-generation technology route to unlock lithium-ion batteries

It is expected that global lithium-ion battery capacity will increase from 170GWh to 590GWh between August 2020 and 2021. As battery manufacturers strive to increase battery production to meet fast-growing demand, automakers and investors are also exploring the next generation. Battery technology to improve the performance of battery products, even replace existing battery products. In this research report, we compare and analyze the three main types of technology development of lithium-ion batteries, explore the advantages of technology, application obstacles and possible development course.

First, the development of batteries with low cobalt content and even cobalt-free has become an important direction for the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. For lithium-ion battery manufacturers and automakers, cobalt metal is expensive and needs to be The Democratic Republic of the Congo imports a lot, so there is an urgent need to get rid of or reduce dependence on cobalt. Companies including Johnson Matthey and Nano One have developed ways to reduce cobalt content and even replace cobalt.

Secondly, in order to reduce the charging problem faced by large-scale promotion and application of new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries with fast charging capability have become an important research and development direction for automobile manufacturers and battery manufacturers. The Israeli battery company StoreDot is committed to this, and He claimed to have successfully developed a new battery that allows the phone to be fully charged within 60 seconds and allows new energy vehicles to be fully charged in just a few minutes.

Third, major battery companies are racing to introduce high-energy-density batteries. One of the ways to achieve high-energy-density batteries is to replace the original graphite anode materials with high-energy-density materials including silicon or lithium metal. The company, Sila Nanotechnologies and Enovix, has developed silicon anode materials in different ways. South Korea's Samsung SDI has focused on the development of a silicon and graphite composite called 'graphene spheres'. .

In addition, solid-state batteries are also expected to achieve high energy density, good safety and long cycle life. The core of solid-state batteries lies in the selection and application of electrolyte materials, so we use the electrolyte material system as a classification. According to the three types of electrolyte materials, such as mixed solid-liquid electrolyte, inorganic electrolyte and solid polymer electrolyte, the solid-state battery is analyzed. Although these three types of solid battery systems have good prospects, they all take some time to usher in large-scale Development and application.

a set of data

360,000 tons

It is estimated that the annual demand for cobalt metal will reach 360,000 tons in 2030.

5 minutes

Using the battery produced by StorageDot, the new energy car can be fully charged in 5 minutes.

20%

If lithium metal anode materials are used, the demand for lithium metal will increase by 20%.