Optimizing the Silicon anode interfacial stability to achieve high energy, fast charge Li-ion EV batteries at scale

GDI’s has shown that by integrating its silicon anodes it can enable 400Wh/kg, 950 Wh/L cells that are capable of 3.2C 15 minute charging, and can eliminate Li plating by utilizing a pure binder free Si anode that does not utilize carbon or binders which can catalyze Li plating and capacity restricting the Si anode to always provide Si excess for the Li to alloy with. Finally GDI has shown that at GW production scale the cost of the battery drops below $100/kWh. The intention of this grant work is to combine electrolyte optimization work done by GDI along with artificial surface layers deposited by the University of Michigan to form ideal surfaces for electrolyte decomposition thus tuning the interface both from the surface but also from the electrolyte. This project will promote the decomposition of thin and stable SEI layers which will both extend the cycle and calendar life while enabling fast charging to make it appropriate for automotive applications. With the combination of both surface stabilization strategies it is intended to create a synergistic solution by tuning the end terminations of the Si interface and optimize against known electrolyte additives. During this grant GDI will optimize the electrolyte and anode coating in order to hit the cycle life targets in small representative 200 mAh full pouch cells. GDI will make the initial learnings in coin cell formats and then translate these to multi-layer pouch cells to test under commercially representative samples.