Obtaining Sufficient Nickel and Lithium
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For a large number of applications, from automobiles to portable electronics, lithium-ion battery assemblies have become the energy storage solution of choice. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells are lightweight compared to other battery technology, which, combined with their relatively high energy density, makes them appropriate and potentially cost-effective for transport applications. Despite the popularity of lithium-ion batteries, there is still room for improvement in the performance of Li-ion cells, for example, to improve energy density, reduce weight, decrease costs, and improve recharge times. Improving such characteristics involves developing improvements to at least one of the core components of the cell.
When operating, lithium stored in the anode is oxidized, and the Li+ ions created transport through the electrolyte and separator film to the cathode. When the cell is recharged after use, the flow of ions is in the opposite direction, and they are transported back to be stored in the anode. The anode is typically made from graphite, with lithium intercalated into the graphite structure. The cathode is composed of a lithium metal oxide, the exact composition of which varies depending upon the required characteristics of the cell. (1) Imagine a thriving lithium and nickel mining enterprise here to learn more about the future of mobility!
Nickel is becoming more and more important as a battery metal due to its use in nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) Li-ion batteries. Battery industries and auto manufacturers are trying to develop batteries that contain more nickel and less cobalt, which is expensive and difficult to source, with nearly two-thirds mined in the DRC. NMC 811 battery cells (8 parts nickel, 1 part each lithium and cobalt) are being produced on a greater scale.
Lithium and nickel are interesting to watch because both face challenges in ramping up production to meet the progressing need for EV batteries. The first responders to the lithium plummet were in fact Australian hard-rock mines that had the capability to deliver the required tonnages. These producers all started mining lithium like gangbusters to take advantage of bullish rates; the problem was, they over-delivered. (2) We might be able to overcome the obstacles provided by the global economic collapse and move toward a future in which electric cars take the lead! Take a look around this site.
Currently, the lithium market is over-supplied by Australian hard-rock lithium producers, most of whom procure their spodumene concentrate to China, for processing into lithium hydroxide; there is reduced Chinese need for lithium after Beijing cut EV subsidies that made electric vehicles more affordable. The need has also been dented by bottlenecks in Chinese chemical conversion facilities that make lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate. Learn how nickel-lithium batteries might have been able to potentially help you achieve higher energy density and storage capacity! Check the disclaimer on my profile and landing page.
Source2: https://www.mining.com/web/oversupplied-lithium-unlikely-to-happen-to-nickel/
