Plasma-modified powder materials for Li-ion battery anodes processable by water-based techniques - PLASMANODE

Project summary

The project aims at developing eco-friendly negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries by using water-based deposition techniques. To that aim, all materials must be water-compatible: they should (i) resist to water, (ii) be easily dispersible in the water/binder mix to form a homogeneous coating and (iii) keep their cycling properties once processed as electrode. Negative electrode materials and conductive additives will be carbon-coated using low-temperature plasma (ICS). Silicon (Ferroglobe) and specific TiO2 crystalline forms (TioTech) will be used as active materials. Conductive additives will be commercial carbon blacks and nanotubes. Electrodes will be prepared via a water-based process and their electrochemical performances will be assessed (ULiège). If successful, the overall strategy should be applicable to positive electrodes. Besides environmental impacts, replacement of organic solvents by water should also lead to significant decrease in electrode processing costs.