The Technology
Lithium-ion battery (LIB) is the most widely used energy storage device for portable consumer electronic devices, electric vehicles, and electric grids. Additionally, LIBs have become emerging devices to store renewable energy (i.e., wind, solar, geothermal). Due to the widespread use of LIBs, a large effort is being made to increase the battery capacity, mostly by incorporating elemental silicon (Si) utilizing as an anode material either in part as a carbon composite form or as 100% silicon. This is done as Si holds theoretical specific capacities of 3590 mAh g−1 for Li3.75Si, at room temperature, and 4200 mAh g−1 for Li4.4Si at 415 °C, respectively.
The pulverization of electrode structure during repeated volume expansion–shrinkage during LIB cycling remains a critical drawback to silicon-based LIB. Many methods such as use of polymeric binders and 3D network formation and others are studied to diminish the volume expansion-shrinkage drastic and detrimental effects aiming at primarily maintaining the electrode integrity. Despite that, the challenges regarding the repeated volume changes observed in silicon anode materials, have not been fully addressed.
Using oven baked protein-based materials as binders in the Si composite electrode is showing great advantages such as improved electrode cycling stability and increased specific capacity of LIB.
Advantages
- Increased driving mileage
- Longer service life
Applications and Opportunities
- Batteries for EV
- Energy storage (renewable, portable)
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