Early-Stage Sustainability Evaluation of Nanoscale Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Results of an early-stage sustainability evaluation of two development strategies for new nanoscale cathode materials for Li-ion batteries are reported: (i) a new production pathway for an existing material (LiCoO ) and (ii) a new nanomaterial (LiMnPO ). Nano-LiCoO was synthesized by a single-source precursor route at a low temperature with a short reaction time, which results in a smaller grain size and, thereby, a better diffusivity for Li ions. Nano-LiMnPO was synthesized by a wet chemical method.

Characteristics and properties of nano-LiCoO synthesized by pre-organized single source precursors: Li-ion diffusivity, electrochemistry and biological assessment.

Background: LiCoO is one of the most used cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. Its conventional synthesis requires high temperature (>800 °C) and long heating time (>24 h) to obtain the micronscale rhombohedral layered high-temperature phase of LiCoO (HT-LCO). Nanoscale HT-LCO is of interest to improve the battery performance as the lithium (Li) ion pathway is expected to be shorter in nanoparticles as compared to micron sized ones.

Nanomaterials Meet Li-ion Batteries.

Li-ion batteries are used in many applications in everyday life: cell phones, laser pointers, laptops, cordless drillers or saws, bikes and even cars. Yet, there is room for improvement in order to make the batteries smaller and last longer. The Fromm group contributes to this research focusing mainly on nanoscale lithium ion cathode materials.