Cabot Launches First Graphene-Based Additive To Improve Energy Density Of Li-ion Batteries
Cabot has developed a graphene-based additive called LITX™ G700 to improve the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.
LITX™ G700 is a conductive graphene-based additive that is to improve conductivity and achieve a high energy density in lithium-ion batteries at “ultra-low loadings” in comparison to conventional additives. Lower volume additives offer the advantage of more space in batteries for energy storage materials.
“Cabot is committed to becoming the key performance additives supplier to the lithium-ion battery industry,” said Gregg Smith, general manager of Cabot Energy Materials. “Our new graphene-based additive is bringing a new leading-edge material to the market. We have been working closely with our customers to help deliver solutions that will increase and extend the performance of their current and next generation battery cells.”
Graphene is a carbon-based material (often made from graphite) which exhibits a highly unusual combination of features such as high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, rust resistance (it does not rust at all), malleability, semiconductor capabilities which enabled IBM to make a 155 GHZ transistor, strength far exceeding that of steel, and a weight 1/6th of that of steel.
“We recognize that graphenes have the potential to improve performance in a number of applications from advanced batteries to conductive plastics and tires. We see it also leading to new, stronger composite materials,” said Yakov Kutsovsky, chief technology officer. “Cabot has made and continues to make investments in graphene technology. This enables us to have a robust platform capability in which to test and further develop graphene materials.”
Source: Businesswire
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
CleanTechnica Holiday Wish Book
Our Latest EVObsession Video
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.
When people talk about EV range and the cost of battery replacement, they need to remember that many batteries are going to be replaced before they die because people will be installing upgraded batteries to improve range. The range of the EV you buy today will not be the range you’re stuck with forever.
Good point…
I also assume that batteries will be sold back for a certain refund, as they won’t be unusable when they’re not ideal for one’s car. (Assuming these batteries, if not simply recycled, could make for good/cheap energy storage for the grid or for microgrids.)
That seems to support the battery rental packages already offered on some makes of EVs which should themselves become much cheaper soon. Electric motors are simpler and less costly than the more and more sophisticated ICEs needed to try to meet increasingly stringent emission regulations. Some of the prices now being charged, particularly outside the US, for very ordinary IC vehicles are breathtaking .
Well said. And the electric motor, unlike the ICE, doesn’t convert nearly 82% of its kinetic energy into useless (and atmosphere harming) heat above and beyond all the pollution emitted when the 18% of kinetic energy that does convert to mechanical energy moves the vehicle. The ICE is a dead weight on the planet.