Technology Policy and Road Map of Battery

Abstract

The increase in global population has resulted in increased demand for stationary and portable energy, as well as increases in carbon dioxide emissions. The increases in greenhouse gases at the present trajectory will increase the global warming potential above the 2° threshold. At this threshold, it is anticipated that climate changes will adversely affect the land and sea masses. To minimize the potential of global warming and meet the increased energy demands, high-energy capacity lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in portable electronics and electric vehicles offer one potential solution. Current Li-ion chemistries focus on lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and lithium titanium oxide (LTO) as cathodes and lithium metal (Li-metal) as an anode. Other semiconductor materials are used as alloying anodes (Si, Sn) that also include chalcogenides (S), metal halides (Br), and polymers. These materials enable the cell to maintain a high charge density through enhanced Li and electron transport, lesser volumetric expansion, material dissolution, and surface reactions between electrode and electrolyte generating heat. In part, battery thermal management is controlled using passive cooling in addition to liquid cooling. However, the widespread usage of Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles also presents a problem in end-of-life disposal and adverse effects on leaching of active materials into the water table. A life cycle assessment of Li material extraction and usage indicates that every watt-hour (Wh) of storage capacity utilizes 328 Wh of energy and generates 110 g carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq.) emissions. The other components in the cathode, such as Ni and Co, may also pose toxicological adverse effects if released prematurely into the environment. The trend in battery design and evolution appears to indicate size and cost reduction; increased power density; recycling and transition to Li-S, Li-Air, or organic polymers to meet the anticipated energy demands; lower CO2-eq emissions; and electric vehicle demand by 2030.