Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Bio-based alternatives, which include carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC), pectin, peptides, etc., are promising with specific capacities in the range of ~1000-2000 mAh/g for hundreds of cycles. These results are usually achieved by employing Si-nanoparticles (to reduce the magnitude of the mechanical stress induced by silicone swelling); using a significant amount of binder (>10 wt% and up to ~30 wt%), compared to commercial LIBs (< 5 wt%); and providing the anode with a nano- or micro-porosity that can mitigate the volumetric changes [3]. This project is a part of an accepted international project (Consortium batteries - topic 4 M ERA-NET 3, PRIMA Quebec project call) to develop for the first-time binder-free 100% bio-sourced Si anode. Our consortium partners are UEF (University of Eastern Finland, Finland), IFE (Institute for Energy Technology, Norway), LTU (Luleå University of Technology, Sweden) TØI (Institute of Transport Economics, Norway), and Talga group (Sweden). Our european partner has, in previous work, developed a technology to extract mesoporous silicon particles from barley husks. These bio-based particles experience reduced variations in their volume due to their mesoporous structure. On the Quebec side and through this project , CÉPROCQ will collaborate with a Canadian company, specialized in developing low molecular weight cellulose, in order to incorporate mesoporous Si-microparticles, derived from barley husks, in a cellulose nanofiber network. The resulting electrode will be “binder-free” since both silicon and carbon nanofibers will contribute to the potential of the anode.