Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NMC) Cathode with Nanoparticles Additive

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for electric vehicles (EVs) require lower weight, lower
cost, higher capacity and longer lifetime. Specifically, nickel Cobalt Manganese (NMC) is widely used in EVs and energy storage applications. Nowadays, most EVs are produced with over 30KWh capacities for a longer driving range resulting in a significant increase in the overall weight of vehicles. The high weight of the battery leads to unproductive power consumption and adversely impacts on the vehicle’s performance. Additionally, operating the batteries at high voltage provides a higher discharge capacity but creates an aggressive decrease in the lifetime of the batteries. In this research, two approaches are used to overcome these two obstacles; (1) adding nanoparticles to NMC cathode material and (2) increasing the ratio of the binder, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Electrochemical measurements indicate a weight reduction of the cathode and an improvement in the lifetime of the modified battery in comparison with a battery with pristine cathode material.