High power battery electrodes

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The development of electrical energy storage systems with improved performance will play a critical role in maintaining the current quality of life in developed countries as well as in the sustainable growth of developing countries. In the transportation sector, for instance, new technologies must be developed because energy consumption and production that rely on the combustion of fossil fuels already have a severe impact on world economics and ecology. The development of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which calls for more performing electric energy storage systems, would help to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector. Lithium-ion batteries are highly energetic storage devices but remain however very limited in terms of power, which hinders their integration in transportation vehicles. In this collaborative research project, we will study and develop lithium-ion battery electrodes that use novel, high performance binders to meet high power (1 kW/kg) and long-term cyclability requirements for application in EVs (>= 30000 cycles). The innovative and key aspect of the project lies in the use of elastomeric binders that were specifically designed by the industrial partner for the purpose of high power Lithium-ion batteries and that will enable electrode fabrication by solvent-free processes. We will begin by optimizing the formulation with regards to the mechanical stability and charging efficiency. The density of active material, porosity and thickness of the electrodes will be measured and their effect evaluated. Then, a thorough study of the aging processes of electrodes and cells obtained by solvent and solvent-free approaches will be undertaken using electronic (SEM, TEM) and in-situ scanning probe microscopies and electrochemical techniques. We will, during the last year of this project, fabricate a stacked system from extruded electrodes which will present 10s of Wh and study the stability and heat generation in such stacked system. The successful development of high power batteries will stimulate the economy of clean "cars" related industries, helping to assure the quality of our environment and contribute to the commitment of Canada to a cleaner environment.