High performance batteries have the potential to substantially change the market. Consumers all over the world become more and more demanding in every sector, where batteries are used. Currently the most used battery is the lithium-ion battery which is expected to reach its limit in terms of energy density soon. As a result, the capacity in consumer products like Smartphones or electric cars are limited. An all-solid-state batteriy (ASSB) is a new technology which has the potential to not only increase the range of an electric car, but could also provide storage for electricity from fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind and sun. An all-solid-state battery doesn’t require any liquid electrolyte, enabling higher energy densities. It also reduces the risk of combustion compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

The aim of this project is to produce dense composite material with superior electrochemical properties good ionic & electric conductivity and high surface area. In order to produce such composite with superior energy density, the mixing of different nanoparticles is needed (hetero-aggregation). Generally, such cathode composite consists of active material, solid electrolyte and additives. To achieve aggregate structures with such properties, not only very small particles are required but also homogeneous distribution. Since nanoparticles tend to agglomerate due to van-der-Waals-forces, finding appropriate mixing conditions poses a challenge. Different possible structures of aggregates of nanoparticles are illustrated in figure 2. 

This project proposes a dry coating process using a spouted bed, which provides a high degree of mixing and shear forces on the agglomerates, to achieve similar structures to the one shown in figure 2D.