Low-cost dry coating of battery electrodes for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production processes (LoCoTroP)
Project duration:
01.08.2016 – 31.07.2019
Institutes:
- Technology Centre for Energy (TZE)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA)
- Institute of Particle Technology (iPAT)
In electrode production for lithium-ion battery cells, wet-chemical processes are predominantly used today. Solvents are used in these processes, which make complex exhaust gas cleaning necessary. The electrodes also have to be energy-intensively dried. The development of a dry coating process for battery electrodes could significantly reduce production costs while maintaining electrochemical performance. In addition to reducing the investment costs for the production plants, higher throughput speeds lead to increased cost efficiency. The elimination of solvents during operation can also reduce material costs.
In connection with the discontinuation of dryer operation, this leads to a considerable saving of resources in cell production, to a reduction in environmental pollution and to simplified environmental approval procedures for battery factories. This is where the LoCoTroP project comes in. The aim of the project is the development of a new dry coating technology for the production of battery electrodes. This includes the development of solvent-free and thus emission-free coating processes for the anode and cathode materials, the proof of the feasibility of the process for roll-to-roll coating by setting up a plant on a pilot plant scale and the proof of suitability through the production and characterisation of large battery cells.
The process is based on a direct coating of the collector with active materials and their fixation on this without further transfer steps. The process for dry mixing of the components is being developed by the TU Braunschweig (iPAT). The coating process and the transfer to pilot plant scale are being advanced by the Fraunhofer IPA based on preliminary work. The University of Applied Sciences of Landshut (HAW Landshut) verifies the electrode quality and determines possible improvements to the electrode design. HAW Landshut contributes its process know-how to industrial electrode manufacture.