Materials firm Umicore and petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan have agreed to jointly develop high-performance catholyte materials for solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
The firms will combine their respective expertise with the aim of delivering the technological breakthrough needed to extend the driving range of solid-state batteries.
Umicore will bring its expertise in cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries, while Japanese firm Idemitsu Kosan brings its know-how in solid electrolytes.
Idemitsu has an established method for manufacturing high-purity lithium sulfide, which it developed in its petrochemical business, and holds patents for sulfide solid electrolytes that use lithium sulfide as their raw material.
Catholytes combine cathode active materials and solid electrolytes; the more intimate contact between these two components would enable the solid-state battery to achieve better performance, say the firms.
