Raw materials are the starting point of the battery manufacturing process and hence the starting point of analytical testing. The main properties of interest include chemical composition, purity and physical properties of the materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, lead, graphite and various additives.
Most battery electrodes consist of electroactive materials coated on the current collector. To coat this active material, the powders are transformed into slurries by mixing with suitable solvents. Battery slurries typically consist of the active materials, binders, conductive additives and solvents.
A battery cell consists of a positively and a negatively charged electrode, a separator and an electrolyte solution. overlying active material (e.g. nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide – NMC or lithium-iron-phosphate – LFP), and additives. (graphite) and additives. Both electrodes are electrically insulated from each other by the separator.
Strongly fluctuating raw material prices and limited extraction capacities of the elements contained in the cells are causing battery cell manufacturers to strive for raw material security, which can be achieved by switching to alternative cell chemistries or recycling.
The CExD of battery production can be effectively reduced by reducing cobalt use and adding a solvent recovery device. The supply stage of upstream raw and auxiliary materials is the key to CExD reduction.
Significant modifications can also be made to the battery components, such as the cathode, anode or electrolyte, to make them inherently safe.