Innovative binder-free electrodes for supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries

A lithium-ion battery is one important type of a rechargeable battery for electric/hybrid vehicles. However, the use of these batteries is limited, if the device requires a rapid power supply. In such cases a supercapacitor can be used for the rapid delivery of the required energy. Most of the currently available energy storage devices use carbon-based electrodes for the charge storage mechanism. Commercially available carbon-based electrodes do not meet the requirements for high-energy-density applications due to their low theoretical capacity. Also, several alternative electrodes have been found unsuitable due to capacity fading after initial charge-discharge cycles and due to large volume expansions. To address the above-mentioned issues of electrodes for supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, a Slovenian research institute has developed two novel types of electrodes prepared by low pressure plasma. The electrodes are made of nickel substrate, carbon nanotubes, each nanotube containing a single-crystal nickel nanoparticle with a trinickel disulphide layer and/or a nickel nitride layer. Both electrodes are binder free and show excellent properties. The technology has been developed at a leading Slovenian research institute which is active on a broad spectrum of basic and applied research. The research group has a lot of experience in plasma systems, surface engineering and development of novel nanomaterials. The research institute is looking for industrial partners for technical cooperation agreement and license agreement. Industrial partners should be companies that produce supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. Within the technical cooperation agreement, the partner sought shall, jointly with the Slovenian institute, scale up the method and employ the method in their production process. If the partner successfully implements the method in his production process, he will be invited to sign a license agreement.