Development of a dry mixing and coating process with selected binder/graphite systems for the production of battery electrodes (TROMBIBATT)

Along with the rising demand for battery systems and the desire for more affordable end-user solutions increases, the evolution of electrode manufacturing to more cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly processes is gaining importance. Dry electrode manufacturing is particularly suitable as an alternative manufacturing process as no solvents are used, eliminating the need for electrode drying and solvent post-treatment. This leads to considerable reductions in material and energy costs, as well as in the capital expenditure for the required equipment. So far, however, process-related challenges and the poor quality of the electrodes have prevented industrial implementation. An essential approach for the establishment of the method lies in the adaptation of the material composition of the electrode, as well as its improved preparation in an upstream dry mixing process, in order to improve the mouldability of the dry powder mixture and the homogeneity of the electrodes.

In the project, IAM-ESS is generally responsible for selecting and characterising the suitable battery materials, determining the processability of the resulting mixtures, as well as investigating and improving the electrode production in the roll gap and the subsequent application-specific investigations of the produced electrodes in different cell formats.