Revolutionizing EV Batteries: The Promise of Silicon Carbide Anodes

The global shift towards sustainable and low-carbon lifestyles has intensified competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with manufacturers striving for longer mileage and faster battery charging speeds.

These crucial parameters depend significantly on the anode material used in the lithium-ion batteries that power EVs.

For decades, the lithium ion battery manufacturing value chain was dominated by graphite anodes. However, Graphite's theoretical specific capacity, which is limited to 372 mAh/g, is insufficient to meet the surge in demand for higher energy density and faster charging capabilities.?

The Need for a Silicon-Based LIB Anode

Silicon has a high theoretical specific capacity of approximately 4200 mAh/g and can store ten times more lithium per unit weight than graphite anodes. Consequently, silicon anode batteries offer significantly higher energy densities compared to their graphite counterparts.

Silicon also reduces charging and discharging times, making it ideal for high-performance applications such as electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems

However, pure silicon anodes undergo significant volume expansion (up to 300%) during lithiation, causing mechanical stress that leads to the cracking and pulverization of the anode material. This could compromise the structural integrity of the anode, causing it to lose electrical contact with the rest of the battery components

The volume changes also leads to the formation of an unstable SEI layer leading to an increased resistance and reduced battery efficiency.

Silicon Carbide as a potential solution?

Researchers are exploring silicon-based anodes, such as the silicon and carbon combination known as silicon carbide (SiC). Silicon carbide combines the high capacity of silicon with the structural benefits of carbon, exhibiting significantly lower volume expansion compared to pure silicon anodes.?

The robust carbon matrix prevents the SiC anode from expanding during lithiation and creates a flexible framework for a uniform and stable SEI, that improves overall efficiency and lifespan of the battery.?

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Keep Abreast of latest advancements in the Battery Anode Materials at Mappes.io

Battery manufacturers must continuously seek advanced materials that are not only easy to integrate into their manufacturing processes but also offer high returns on investment in terms of consumer satisfaction

Combining the high capacity of silicon with the structural benefits of carbon represents a promising technology that could enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries, positively impacting the EV value chain..?

As these developments continue, it is important for the battery manufacturers to understand what’s the best for them and implement the right technology to their processes.?

Mappes.io’s battery ecosystem provides information about the crucial developments that every manufacturer must know? including new suppliers, applications, and research works, all in one place. If you are looking for an silicon based anode supplier for your battery manufacturing site in India, contact us.

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We represent one of the leading silicon-based anode manufacturers from South Korea in India. Drop a DM to Ankit Singhal or request a quote directly at Mappes Silicon anode product page.