SMM: new Orleans startup Advano, reportedly uses recycled silicon as raw material, such as silicon in solar panels, and processes it into a carbon matrix containing silicon nanoparticles. In each particle, silicon carbide fibers begin to grow under the influence of chemicals, forming something similar to villi on the surface and connecting to the villi on other particles to provide mechanical protection.
At present, silicon is considered to be the most promising anode material to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries. If the graphite negative electrode is replaced by the silicon negative electrode, the battery capacity can be increased by about 10 times. However, during the charging process, silicon expands and destroys the internal structure of the battery. Many companies hope to solve this problem by adjusting the microstructure of silicon wafers or silicon particles.
This powder can be used in different concentrations of graphite negative electrode. The higher the concentration, the greater the storage capacity. In order to control the silicon expansion phenomenon, the company has also developed a crystal to improve the silicon operating voltage window, thereby improving the cycle performance of the battery and improving the charging performance.
To increase battery capacity, manufacturers can add different numbers of silicon nanoparticles to the negative electrode, according to IEEE Spectrum magazine. For example, if you want to keep the battery charged 1000 times without cooling, the silicon content in the negative electrode can be increased to 15%. Sometimes, more than 70% silicon can be added in just 250 cycles.
Currently, Advano can produce one ton of silicon nanoparticles a year, which could increase tenfold in the future. The company hopes to reduce the price of particles from $500 to $10,000 per kilogram to $15 to $150 in the future.
