Cathode Material with High Energy Density for All-Solid Lithium-Ion Batteries Developed by FDK and Fujitsu

Recently, FDK Corporation and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.jointly developed lithium cobalt pyrophosphate (Li2CoP2O7), which has high energy density, for the cathode material of all-solid lithium-ion batteries (*all-solid-state batteries). This material enables the development of all-solid-state batteries with higher voltage and higher capacity.

 

In the recent years, not only the batteries’ specifications have become quite diverse but there has also been a hike in interest for high energy density and safety performance.  Apart from the improvement on lithium-ion and other existing batteries, the developmental work is also being carried on certain types of next-generation batteries, which have the potential to outperform the existing ones. FDK is working on the development of all-solid-state batteries, with characteristics like high energy density, superior safety performance, and long battery life.

 

As the energy of a battery is a function of its voltage and capacity, an electrode material with high voltage and high capacity is required to be developed so as to create a battery with high energy density.

 

In the process of developing an all-solid-state battery, through the use of FDK’s Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) technology and Fujitsu Laboratories’ materials formation technologies, the two organisations have successfully developed the cathode material lithium cobalt pyrophosphate (Li2CoP2O7) for all-solid-state batteries. The material has approximately1.5 times the energy density of existing cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

 

Through computational physics, FDK and Fujitsu Laboratories have found that this material, when applied to all-solid-state batteries, is capable of operating with twice the energy density of existing cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. While working to further raise the performance of this material, the companies will continue the development with the aim of an early market launch of a compact and safe all-solid-state battery that can be used in IoT applications, wearables, and mobile devices.

 

This material and technology will be exhibited at the FDK booth during BATTERY JAPAN 2017 (8th international rechargeable battery expo) being held from March 1 to 3, 2017, at Tokyo Big Sight.

 

 

 

 

Black line: charge curve 
Red line: discharge curve 
 

 

 

 

 

An all-solid-state battery uses a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid electrolyte, enabling ions to move in solid state. Because these batteries use a solid material, there is no leakage, and they can be used in high temperature and other environments where existing batteries cannot. All-solid-state batteries are being developed as next-generation batteries that can easily be made to have high voltage and high capacity. Among all-solid-state batteries, FDK is advancing the development of all-solid lithium-ion batteries. Flammable organic materials are primarily used for existing lithium-ion batteries using a liquid electrolyte, but among solid electrolytes, FDK is using an inflammable oxide-based material in advancing its development of all-solid lithium-ion batteries with superior safety performance.

 

 

FDK CORPORATION designs and manufactures a comprehensive line of batteries and electronic components. FDK’s experience with batteries, electronic materials, circuits, and high-density mounting technologies has been cultivated for over 60 years and enables FDK to supply highly innovative, quality products to customers worldwide.

 

 

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 156,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries.

 

Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks, Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials.