Electronic Vehicles (EVs) are one of the prime instances of how the present world is focusing on sustainability and aiming to reduce carbon footprint. But one of the biggest challenges that is hindering the widespread adoption of EVs is the performance of the batteries.
Batteries are the heart and soul of EVs, and the performance of the battery remains directly proportional to the vehicle’s range, charging time, and overall riding experience.
Silicon has emerged as one of the most promising materials for improving the overall battery performance of EVs! That’s one of the key reasons behind the occurrence of a silicon anode battery.
So, is silicon the future of EV batteries? Or is it still a theoretical thing waiting for practical implementation? Let’s explore the blog till the end to find out!
The EV industry was dominated by Lithium-ion auto batteries, which used graphite as an active anode material. However, this led to restricted fast-charging capabilities and limited energy storage, for which the physical and chemical properties of graphite were to be blamed!
Silicon makes its mark as a superhero in this situation! The material itself has been recognized as one of the most promising active anode materials and has a significantly bigger capacity than graphite. Hence, using it as an active anode material in EV batteries can make them hold more charge, and therefore, result in a longer range for EVs.
On the other hand, silicon can also be used as a binder material for EV batteries. A binder is the material that holds the anode and the cathode together. Traditional EV batteries witnessed the usage of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) as the binder material. But, its lack of conductivity limited the performance of the batteries. Silicon, being a highly conductive binder material, helps enhance the power, which results in the after-charge speed of the battery.
While the benefits of silicon battery technology are massive, there are a handful of challenges that have restricted its usage.
Firstly, silicon is prone to swell and shrink during charging and discharging. This phenomenon can cause damage to the batteries, for which research and development are still in process.
Secondly, silicon, being a highly conductive substance, is also more reactive than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This implies that silicon batteries are more prone to catch fire or explode if they are mishandled!
Despite the challenges, R&D departments are trying their best to come up with solutions that encourage the usage of silicon-powered batteries in EVs. One such development is the innovation of a new kind of silicon consisting of nano-sized pores. This porous structure is said to prevent swelling and shrinking completely, thereby leading to a longer shelf life of the batteries.
Along with the batteries, the overall automotive industry is also undergoing massive changes with digital transformation. Learn more!
Well, that’s a trick question that can leave you confused and affect your decision to step into the world of EV! For now, lithium-ion batteries are still in charge. However, with the current pace of R&D departments, silicon is going to dominate the EV market very soon!
So, theoretically, the answer to what car batteries are best would be silicon! But you will have to wait for some time to see the real-world implications and results!
Mr. Robert Willson is one of the few geeks who never gets tired when it comes to technology. From the latest gadgets to AI and machine learning, Mr. Willson translates them into easy-to-digest insights. Where there is tech, there is him!
