We continue to introduce you to promising technologies for the batteries of the future and what place Ukraine can occupy in this process.
“Batteries of the future” will be based on new technologies currently being developed that have the potential to be the next generation of commercial batteries for electric vehicles. Among such promising technologies are:
- batteries using materials such as graphene (read more about this in our previous publication);
- batteries based on sulfur (Li-S);
- zinc-ion (Zn-Ion) batteries;
- sodium-ion (Na-Ion) batteries;
- lithium-ion silicon (Li-Si) batteries.
Lithium-ion silicon (Li-Si) batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery with a theoretical anode capacity of about 4200 A·h/kg, which is about 10 times higher than some commercial lithium-ion batteries with graphite anodes. The production of highly efficient nanostructured silicon materials is expensive and unstable. Despite this, there are commercially viable large-scale productions using nanocoating technologies and manufacturing process developments.
A new anode material can be created on the basis of silicon – several layers of carbon are applied to the surface of silicon nanoparticles. Thanks to this, a higher specific capacity of the battery is achieved, as well as its life expectancy – up to 80% of the battery is saved after the 100th discharge cycle.
Silicon-based material is another promising anode material for Li-ion batteries due to its high performance and high prevalence in the Earth’s crust.
According to data from open sources, the most interesting of the four deposits that are on the state mineral balance sheet of Ukraine is in the Sumy region. This is the Banitske deposit, where there are sandstones of the highest quality with a silicon content of more than 99%. In February 2023, it was nationalised.
The potential of the Ukrainian industry is high – we can provide a full production cycle from the extraction of silicon raw materials to the manufacture of pure silicon and products from it. In 2008, the Concept of the development of the silicon industry was developed, which needs to be updated taking into account nowadays realities, as well as involve Europe in this process – which is trying to diversify its supply chains of critical raw materials, including silicon. Ukraine can and should occupy its niche in the silicon sphere.
Experts of the EU Project “New Code of Ukraine on the Subsoil” are preparing an analytical review of advanced battery technologies in Ukraine, which will also explore the connections and potential value chains between the needs of battery manufacturers in the EU and the corresponding raw materials in Ukraine. To ensure you don’t miss a research publication to find out which companies and startups are working on the development of battery production in Ukraine, follow the information resources of the BRDO or subscribe to the monthly digest.
The project is financed by the European Union and implemented by the Consortium consisting of experts from Projekt-Consult (Germany), MinPol (Austria) and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (Ukraine). This publication reflects the position of the Project and does not necessarily coincide with the position of the European Commission.