Possibilities of minimising cobalt usage in the electric passenger car industry
Typ
Examensarbete på kandidatnivå
Bachelor Thesis
Bachelor Thesis
Program
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Busck, Jakob
Kryger, Marcin
Näs , Daniel
Rosén, Filip
Steen, Karl
Wallin , Erik
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Lithium-ion batteries are an essential and important part of the future, and play a
crucial role in fulfilling the Paris agreement and the building of a sustainable future.
Battery electric cars are pointed out as a key solution to electrify the transport
industry and the majority of electric cars today are equipped with NMC batteries.
Due to shortage and the complex supply chains, high price and the poor working
conditions associated with cobalt mining, the industry works to phase out cobalt
and replace cobalt-rich NMC batteries with different cathode chemistries containing
less cobalt. By using literature studies and manufacturing coin cells with different
cathode chemistries, this report aims to investigate whether alternative cathodes
can be used today or within the near future. The investigated cathodes were examined
in terms of cost, performance, safety, environmental- and social sustainability.
Moreover, interviews with two representatives from the industry were conducted to
discuss industry information and deepen the general comprehension of large scale
battery production. The conclusion that could be drawn was that there are several
possible alternative cathode chemistries without cobalt. However, all examined cathode
chemistries have advantages and limitations that make different cell chemistries
better suited depending on the usage.Lithium-ion batteries are an essential and important part of the future, and play a
crucial role in fulfilling the Paris agreement and the building of a sustainable future.
Battery electric cars are pointed out as a key solution to electrify the transport
industry and the majority of electric cars today are equipped with NMC batteries.
Due to shortage and the complex supply chains, high price and the poor working
conditions associated with cobalt mining, the industry works to phase out cobalt
and replace cobalt-rich NMC batteries with different cathode chemistries containing
less cobalt. By using literature studies and manufacturing coin cells with different
cathode chemistries, this report aims to investigate whether alternative cathodes
can be used today or within the near future. The investigated cathodes were examined
in terms of cost, performance, safety, environmental- and social sustainability.
Moreover, interviews with two representatives from the industry were conducted to
discuss industry information and deepen the general comprehension of large scale
battery production. The conclusion that could be drawn was that there are several
possible alternative cathode chemistries without cobalt. However, all examined cathode
chemistries have advantages and limitations that make different cell chemistries
better suited depending on the usage.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
lithium-ion , lithium , battery , NMC , LFP , LFMP , cobalt , cathode