Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) that power electric vehicles (EV) are key to meeting the decarbonization goals set by the global automotive industry. Although, electric vehicle (EV) production is accelerating faster than ever, the high cost of LiBs has been a long-standing barrier to battery-powered EV adoption. However, the average cost of LiB packs for EVs is now estimated at $132 per kilowatt hour (kWh) – an 89% decrease compared to 2010. As a result, 2021 saw record-breaking EV sales, with about 35 million new vehicles forecasted to be produced globally by 2030.
Safety risks posed by high nickel cathodes
Many consumers remain anxious about the risk of unstable EV batteries leading to an accident. To ensure EVs meet the demand for longer driving ranges, manufacturers need to develop battery packs that support higher energy density. Developing LiB cathodes from high nickel ternary alloys and manganese-based, lithium-rich metal oxides is widely considered a promising method for significantly increasing the energy density and capacity of batteries.
Yet, these compounds demonstrate low thermal stability in high-heat and high-voltage conditions. They also result in the formation of dendrites that penetrate and damage the battery membrane. This drawback significantly elevates the risk of thermal runaway that can cause batteries to catch fire or explode.
In addition to requiring expensive recalls, these accidents do incalculable damage to an automotive brand’s reputation. This risk has prompted some EV producers to design cars with cobalt-free iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries that are safer and more cost effective, but require many more cells to enable long driving ranges.
Nickel and cobalt also increase the risk of metal ion dissolution and hydrogen fluoride attack that result in chemical aging proven to cause LiBs to wear out and fail prematurely. This damage rapidly lowers the maximum capacity batteries can hold, which requires EVs to undergo longer and more frequent re-charging cycles.
Enabling you to cost effectively design safe, high-performance EVs
To stabilize the temperature and capacity retention performance of LiBs, you need to modify the electrolytes that facilitate ion exchange from the cathode. Envalior is the largest producer of succinonitrile (SN), a high-performance electrolyte additive. Our Stanyl® SN-PURE compound forms a protective layer at the cathode to suppress electrolyte decomposition, protect against oxidation and prevent dendrite formation. The compound offers:
- High purity of 99.95% and low ion concentration to optimize battery performance
- Superior thermal stability over long operation times
- <2000 parts per million (ppm) water content to lower the risk of oxidization
- Low freezing point of +57.2°C and high boiling point of 267°C to withstand extreme temperatures
- Non-hazardous chemistry to prevent harmful gases from forming
- Compliance with key regulations for battery system manufacturing
- Global availability at mass scale to mitigate any supply chain risks
