Evonik has introduced the silicon-carbon composite material Siridion® Black as a new anode material for lithium-ion batteries. It makes batteries more powerful by increasing energy density and improving the fast-charging capability and energy efficiency.
The introduction of the new high-performance material also completes Evonik’s range of battery materials: the company already offers cathode active material and fumed metal oxides for the coating of separators.
Until now, graphite has been used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, but batteries with a higher capacity need new materials that also allow faster charging.
As an additive, the solution can be quickly integrated into existing anode materials and production processes, combining well with other battery materials.
The powder is produced by gas phase synthesis. It consists of isolated unsintered spherical particles that are a few hundred nanometers in size. Within the amorphous particles, the carbon concentration increases from the inside out. This ensures superior stability.
Due to the higher carbon content on the surface, the particles are better protected against oxidation and easier to process.
The high performance anode material was jointly developed by the Research, Development & Innovation Function and the Silanes Business Line of Evonik. They are working on making lithium-ion batteries even more powerful in a joint project with the University of Duisburg-Essen that is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy until 2023 (funding code: 03EI3027B).
The Siridion® Black enables customized solutions. It gives anode manufacturers and their customers the necessary flexibility to adapt their batteries exactly to respective needs. The carbon-covered silicon is now available on an industrial scale.
