Principal Investigators: Chang, Wesley
University: Drexel University
Industry partners: Arkema
In order to grow and lead to long lasting and affordable electric vehicles, the domestic battery manufacturing industry relies on low-cost and abundant raw materials, including silicon-dominant negative electrodes and inactive components (binders, coatings, conductive additives). Of all new chemistries being explored, silicon is one of the most developed. Most rechargeable batteries today already contain roughly 5% by weight silicon in the negative electrode, but increasing that silicon content is challenging because of the significant swelling and shrinking of silicon particles from lithiation and delithiation. As a result, the volume changes significantly—up to 300%—and without an effective surface coating or binder, it leads to eventual particle fracture, loss of active lithium species and battery failure. This proposal leverages advanced non-destructive battery diagnostic tools at Drexel to screen for, engineer, and optimize the process development of high strength, sustainably produced oligomers at Arkema for battery applications.