What materials are needed to make lithium ion batteries?

There are seven main raw materials needed to make lithium-ion batteries. Among these, the US defines graphite, lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt as critical minerals: metals of essential importance to US energy needs, but which have supply chains vulnerable to disruption.

Why is it important to understand the raw battery material supply chain?

Understanding constraints within the raw battery material supply chain is essential for making informed decisions that will ensure the battery industry’s future success. The primary limiting factor for long-term mass production of batteries is mineral extraction constraints.

Are battery raw material supply chain challenges based on mineral extraction?

This paper emphasises the battery raw material supply chain challenges from a mineral extraction perspective. Available mineral resources, constraints in production capacities, and timelines for extraction rate ramp-up to meet growing metal demand will be explored from a bottom-up approach.

Are lithium-ion batteries sustainable?

Lithium-ion batteries are at the forefront among existing rechargeable battery technologies in terms of operational performance. Considering materials cost, abundance of elements, and toxicity of cell components, there are, however, sustainability concerns for lithium-ion batteries.

Are zinc-based batteries sustainable?

From a sustainable viewpoint, zinc-based batteries are green energy-storage technologies considering the high material availability of zinc and its operability with aqueous-based electrolytes.

What materials are used in battery production?

For lithium, cobalt, and nickel in particular, the battery industry drives global demand. Check out my previous post to understand how batteries use each of these materials. Lithium mining via brine well water evaporation in the Atacama Salt Flat in Chile. Source: Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra/INPE/Flickr.