Cabot launches first graphene-based additive to improve energy density of lithium-ion batteries
25 February 2013
Cabot Corp. launched LITX G700, the company’s first graphene-based additive for high energy density lithium-ion battery applications. (Earlier post.) Utilizing graphene material developed on the basis of a new technology platform, this new additive helps lithium-ion battery manufacturers improve cell performance.
The LITX G700 conductive additive is a graphene-based additive designed for use in electric vehicle and high-end consumer electronics in which better driving range and longer run times are critical performance features.
In 2011, Cabot entered an intellectual property licensing agreement with XG Sciences, Inc. Under the agreement, Cabot licenses intellectual property rights to XG’s xGnP graphene nanoplatelets technology, including detailed know-how regarding the manufacturing process.
Graphene has high electrical and thermal conductivity, and is mechanically strong. It is used as a performance-enhancing material in composites to add strength, stability, electrical and thermal conductivity, and other properties at lower loading levels than traditional materials. Its unique shape and structure provide different application opportunities from standard carbon additives. Specifically, graphene’s unique properties help to balance the overall electronic and ionic conductivity of lithium-ion battery cells that could not be achieved with other carbon additives, the company said.
This new additive is designed to deliver the conductivity needed to achieve very high energy densities in lithium-ion batteries at ultra-low loadings in comparison to conventional additives. Less loading or volume allocated to conductive additives enables more volume to be available for energy storage materials. As a result, the LITX G700 graphene-based additive delivers step change performance in conductivity at ultra-low loadings and is easily incorporated into battery electrodes, according to Cabot.
We recognize that graphenes have the potential to improve performance in a number of applications from advanced batteries to conductive plastics and tires. We see it also leading to new, stronger composite materials. Cabot has made and continues to make investments in graphene technology. This enables us to have a robust platform capability in which to test and further develop graphene materials.
—Yakov Kutsovsky, chief technology officer
LITX products are the first of a new Cabot family of performance additives for advanced batteries designed specifically to solve customer problems at the fundamental particle materials level.
'Kelly launches first red additive to improve energy density of lithium-ion batteries.' and fails to provide specifics or examples of battery improvement percentages also.
Posted by: kelly | 25 February 2013 at 08:33 AM
LOL I think they are similar to unicorn farts Kelly. It does all kinds of magical stuff!
Posted by: DaveD | 25 February 2013 at 09:58 AM
What does it do??????????
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 February 2013 at 10:59 AM
I hope GCC covers http://phys.org/news/2013-02-scientists-lithium-sulfur-battery-lifetime-factor.html
While a demonstrated 300 recharges(->1,000) can be beat by Li-ion, if every Li-S charge has several times more range AND the battery is cheaper - we got a winner.
Posted by: kelly | 25 February 2013 at 11:07 AM
Great link Kelly. Now THAT was an interesting potential.
Posted by: DaveD | 25 February 2013 at 07:03 PM