Proceedings of MATSUS Spring 2024 Conference (MATSUS24)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2024.402
Publication date: 18th December 2023
Critical materials are those which have a supply chain risk and are of high economic importance, this means that criticality is unique to each area of the globe, due to the sourcing of these different materials. In Europe, the critical materials list published in 2023 shows lithium, graphite, phosphate and phosphorous, silicon, cobalt and manganese, all classified as critical. Nickel is although, a strategic material, and with carcinogenic implications is not currently classified as critical. This assessment is dynamic due to changes in the sourcing, supply and also recycling levels of these important elements and materials. With the new battery passport and EU battery directive regulations, 50% of lithium recovery by 2027 and 80% by 2031 from spent lithium-ion batteries. SLI and EV batteries will require a recycled content of 16% for Co, 6% Li and 6% Ni, and recycling efficiency is 50% by 2025. Environmental and social impact needs to be understood throughout the life cycle of the battery, with supply chain due diligence. By 1st of Feb 2028, a full impact assessment of battery life cycle, or LCA must be supplied, including the recycled content sources.
In this work we look at optimisation of lithium-ion and sodium-ion technologies and the investigation of cathodes and anodes at low and elevated temperatures. In particular a co-doped lithium nickelate is discussed, and its performance in a full cell. By co-doping the layered nickelate with boron and tin, the cathode material has improved low temperature performance properties. In addition, the performance of hard carbon in a sodium-ion system is also discussed, and its performance at low and elevated temperatures.