Better battery performance

In batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, the cathode can be made of various materials, including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), and others.

Improvement of reaction kinetics

Grinding significantly increases the surface area of the cathode materials. A bigger surface area enables faster diffusion and reaction of lithium ions, which increases the charge and discharge efficiency of the battery. This leads to better performance and faster reaction kinetics.

Increase in energy density

Grinding allows the cathode materials to be produced in a finer form. This enables a higher packing density in the battery, which in turn increases the energy density. A higher energy density means that the battery can store more energy in a smaller space.

Better homogeneity

Grinding ensures that the cathode materials are mixed more homogeneously. This is decisive for the uniform distribution of lithium ions during the charging and discharging process. A uniform distribution helps prevent uneven capacity decrease and prolong battery life.

Reduction of agglomerates

Agglomerates are collections of particles that can occur in the cathode. Grinding helps to break up these agglomerates and to distribute the particles even. This leads to improved reaction kinetics and prevents hotspots in the battery that could lead to undesirable reactions.

Optimization for specific applications

Depending on the requirements of a particular battery application, milling can be used to tailor cathode materials to desired properties. This could include increasing energy density, improving lifetime, or adapting to different operating conditions.