Battery Research Chemicals & Materials
Battery research chemicals and materials are the building blocks of the next generation of energy storage solutions. From powering our smartphones to electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage, these materials are crucial for the transition to a clean and sustainable energy future.
The choice of chemicals and materials has a significant impact on the performance of a battery:
- Energy density: The amount of energy that can be stored per unit weight or volume
- Power density: The rate at which a battery can deliver or absorb energy
- Cycle life: The number of times a battery can be charged and discharged before its capacity deteriorates significantly
- Safety: The risk of fire, explosion, or toxic leaks
- Cost: The materials and manufacturing process should be affordable
- Sustainability: Sourcing ethically, utilising abundant and environmentally friendly materials, that are easily extracted and then recycled at the end of their lifespan
The development of new battery chemicals and materials is a complex and challenging task, but it is essential for the continued progress of clean energy technologies. By unlocking the potential of these materials, we can create a future powered by safe, reliable, and affordable batteries.
PI-KEM specialises in providing high-quality chemicals, materials, and equipment tailored to meet the specific demands of battery research. In addition we pride ourselves in offering technical support and expert guidance to ensure you get the best solution for your application.
NEW: Sodium Materials (Including Discs)
Due to sodium’s abundance within the earth’s crust, Na-ion battery technology is a new and fast-growing Energy Research area.
Following the increase in demand, we have all the materials, chemicals, components and equipment you need to help accelerate your Na-ion battery research:
Discs & Foils
Our discs are pre-cut to size for ease of use within coin cell research, whilst the foil can be cut to size for use in pouch or cylinder cell R&D
Sodium Discs:
- Purity: 99.7%
- Diameter: 12.0mm, 14.0mm, 15.6mm, 18.0mm
- Thickness: 0.45mm
- Coating: Coated on one side with 30μm aluminium to aid current collection, also available uncoated if required.
Sodium Foil:
- Purity: 99.7%
- Dimensions: 120mm x 300mm
- Thickness: 0.45mm
- Coating: Coated on one side with 30μm aluminium to aid current collection
Anode & Cathode Powders
Our sodium-ion cathode materials are typically based on intercalation / de-intercalation compounds, where sodium ions provided by the cathode are inserted into the host lattice (anode) during charge and extracted during discharge, with minimal structural change in the host material
Na-ion Cathode, Anode, and Electrolyte Powders
We supply a variety of sodium-ion battery materials, which include sodium-based cathode and anode materials, their corresponding carbon-coated counterparts (3-5 wt.% carbon),and sodium-based solid electrolytes.
We can customize the primary and secondary particle size, composition, and surface characteristics (e.g. electronically conducting coating layer) of available materials, as well as custom synthesize Na-ion materials upon request.
Electrolytes
Our electrolytes have been specifically formulated for na-ion battery research - please contact us for more information.
Pre-Coated Electrode Sheets
Na-ion Cathode and Anode Electrode Sheets
Our sodium-ion cathode and anode powders can also be cast as an electrode sheet, as shown below:
- Coated Sheet Dimensions: 5inches x 10 inches (127 mm x 254 mm)
- Current Collectors: Copper (10 μm) or Aluminium (16 μm)
- Coating: Single and Double-sided sheets available, coated edge-to-edge (unless specified otherwise)
- Standard*Composition: 85% active material, 10% conductive carbon, 5% PVDF binder (*except Hard Carbon electrode sheet
Modifications can also be made to accommodate customers with unique specification requirements, such as different active material loadings, coating thickness, and binder type / content upon request.
Coin / pouch / cylinder cell consumables & equipment
We provide an extensive choice of equipment for battery and supercapacitor research. This ranges from cost-effective manual and semi-automatic equipment, designed for use in benchtop research, through to automated and high throughput systems for large laboratory research and prototype testing.
To view all of our energy research consumables and equipment click here
Battery & Supercapacitor Chemicals
We supply a large selection of chemicals, primarily lithium and sodium based, for battery and supercapacitor research in powder, granular and target forms.
In addition we supply carbon black and super C65, and we welcome any enquiry for other compounds.
Our most requested lines are listed in table 1 below
Solid State Electrolytes
Powder form compounds, primarily lithium and sodium, for use in the development of solid-state electrolytes for battery innovation.
Our most requested lines are listed in table 2 below, but we welcome the opportunity to collaborate on custom projects and materials.
Battery Materials
PI-KEM offers a wide range of materials for new energy development sector. These include custom coated-electrode sheets, with coated copper foils for anodes and coated aluminium foils for cathodes. Coating thickness, binder type and active material can be customised in line with your requirements. Our most requested lines are listed in table 3 below.
PI-KEM’s most requested range of foils, meshes, and foams are listed in table 3 and detailed below, alternative materials can be sourced. All come in a range of standard sizes or can be customised to customer requirements.
Aluminium Foil, 350m Roll This aluminum foil (15 um) is used as substrate (Al current collectors) for coating cathode materials in Li-Ion rechargeable battery research. Specifications: Material: Aluminum/ Purity > 99.3% / Resistivity: 2.7 x 10-8 Ohm-meter / Length: 350m / Width:280mm / Thickness: 15um, Density: 3.741 g·cm−3 / Tensile Strength: ≥150N/m3 /Net weight: 5.5 kg / Shipped in vacuum bag
Conductive Carbon Coated Aluminium Foil, 80m roll for battery cathode substrate Specifications: Conductive carbon coating / Double side coating with 1-micron thickness each side / Density: 0.5g/m2 Surface resistivity: < 30 ohms per 25um² / Binder: Modified acrylate adhesive (water based) / Coated width: 200mm / Total Thickness: 18um / Total Width: 260mm cathode substrate / Length: about 80 meters / The substrate of Aluminum Foil: Purity> 99.9% / Thickness: 16 micron
Stainless Steel Foil, 4000mm Roll Specifications: Length 4000mm /Width 300mm / Thickness 0.1mm
Nickel Foam for Battery or Supercapacitor Cathode Substrate Specifications: Length 300mm / Width 80mm / Thickness 0.08mm
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) & Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells (SOECs)
PI-KEM supplies anode (nickel based), cathode (lanthanum based) and interconnect (lanthanum based) powders, electrolytes, and protonic conductors all specifically sourced for SOFC and SOEC innovation. Our most requested lines are listed in tables 4 - 8 below, we are also able to source novel materials that are not listed from our partners L and L
In addition, PI-KEM also offers a variety of advanced ceramic materials, used to make battery components, such as separators, electrodes, and cases and high temperature conductive adhesives. Follow this link to see the MTI range of separators, or see our Advanced Ceramics and Aremco pages for more information.
Format
- Powders
- Targets
- Granules and Pellets
- Disc and chips: Lithium and Sodium
- Foils and mesh: Metals only
- Electrode Sheets: coated copper and aluminium foils
- Foam: Metals only
- Other materials can be sourced
Product Overview Tables
Table 1 - Battery & Supercapacitor Chemicals
Chemical Name Formula Lithium Cobalt Oxide LiCoO2 Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Lithium Titanium Oxide Li2TiO3/Li4Ti5O12 Lithium Manganese Oxide LiMnO2 Lithium Nickel Oxide LiNiO2 Lithium Tantalate LiTaO3 Lithium Vanadium Phosphate Li3V2(PO4)3 Lithium Manganese Cobalt Oxide LiMn1-yCoyO2 Lithium Nickel Cobalt Oxide LiNi1-yCOyO2 Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide LiNi1-yMnyO2 Lithium Aluminium Cobalt Oxide LixAlyCo1-yO2 Chemical Name Formula Sodium Phosphor Sulphur Chloride Na5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 Sodium Vanadium Phosphate Na3V2(PO4)3 Sodium Cobalt Oxide Na0.7CoO2+x Sodium Manganese Oxide Na0.44MnO2 / Na0.7MnO2+x Sodium Nickel Iron Manganese Oxide Na(NiFeMn)0.4O2 Sodium Iron Phosphate NaFePO4 (maricite structure) Sodium Manganese Phosphate NaMnPO4 Sodium Chromium Oxide NaCrO2 (hexagonal phase) Sodium Cobalt Phosphate NaCoPO4 Sodium Nickel Phosphate NaNiPO4 Sodium Metatitanate Na2Ti3O7 (monoclinic phase) Sodium Titanium Oxide Na4Ti5O12 (hexagonal phase) Sodium Titanium Phosphate NaTi2(PO4)3 (hexagonal phase) Sodium Aluminum Titanium Phosphate Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7P3O12 Prussian Blue Powder Na2Fe2(CN)6 (NaHCF) Table 2 - Solid State Electrolytes
Chemical Name Formula Lithium Phosphorus Sulphide Li3PS4 / Li7P3S11 Lithium Phosphorus Sulphur Chloride Li6PS5Cl Lithium Phosphorus Sulphur Bromide Li6PS5Br Lithium Phosphorus Sulphur Iodide Li6PS5I Lithium Phosphorus Tellurium Chloride Li6PTe5Cl Lithium Phosphorus Tellurium Bromide Li6PTe5Br Lithium Phosphorus Tellurium Iodide Li6PTe5I Lithium Aluminum Germanium Phosphate LiAlGeP3O12 Lithium Germanium Phosphorus Sulphide Li10GeP2S12 Lithium Germanium Phosphous Sulphide Chloride Li10GeP2S12Cl Lithium Silicate Li2SiO3 Lithium Lanthanum Titanium Oxide LiLaTiO3 Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li7La3Zr2O12 Aluminum doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li7-3xAlxLa3Zr2O12 Gallium doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li6.4Ga0.2La3Zr2O12 Niobium doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li6.5La3Zr1.5Nb0.5O12 Tantalum doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 Tungsten doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Li6.3La3Zr1.65W0.35O12 Sodium Thioantimonate Na3SbS4 Sodium Phosphorus Sulphide Na3PS4 Table 3 - Battery Materials
Product Description Custom coated electrode sheets (12.7 x 25.4cm) Custom coatings can be produced upon request. Active material loading, coating thickness, and binder type can be modified to your requirements.
Anode Materials
Cu foil, single side coated by:
• Li4Ti5O12 (LTO)
• Graphite
• Activated Carbon
Cathode Materials
Al foil, single side coated by:
• LiCoO2 (LCO)
• LiMn2O4 (LMO)
• LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA)
• LiNixMnyCozO2 (NMC) with ratio of NMC 111, 532, 622, 811
• LiFePO4 (LFP)
• LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4Lithium Chips Lithium discs for li-ion and li-rechargeable battery research
• 15.6mm diameter x 0.25mm Purity: 99.9%
• 15.6mm diameter x 0.45mm Purity: 99.9%Metal Foils • Aluminium (Al)
• Carbon (C)
• Copper (Cu)
• Nickel (Ni)
• Stainless Steel
• Tantalum (Ta)
• Titanium (Ti)
• Tungsten (W)
• Vanadium (V)
• Zirconium (Zr)Mesh • Aluminium (Al)
• Copper (Cu)Foam • Cobalt (Co)
• Graphene
• Nickel (Ni)
• Silver (Ag)
• Titanium (Ti)Tables 4 - 8
Anode Powders
Chemical Standard Weight % NiO/YSZ - 50 wt% NiO / 50 wt% (8 mol% YSZ)
- 60 wt% NiO / 40 wt% (8 mol% YSZ)
- 70 wt% NiO / 30 wt% (8 mol% YSZ)
- Custom NiO / YSZ
NiO/CGO - 50 wt% NiO / 50 wt% Ce0.8Gd0.2 Oxide
- 60 wt% NiO / 40 wt% Ce0.8Gd0.2 Oxide
- 70 wt% NiO / 30 wt% Ce0.8Gd0.2 Oxide
- Custom NiO / CGO
Cathode Powders
Chemical Standard Weight % La/Ca/Mn Oxide - La0.8Ca0.2Mn Oxide
- (La0.8Ca0.2)0.98Mn Oxide
- Custom La/Ca/Mn Oxide
La/Co Oxide - Custom La/Co Oxide
La/Sr/Fe Oxide - La0.8Sr0.2Fe Oxide
- Custom La/Sr/Fe Oxide
La/Sr/Fe/Co Oxide - La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.2Co0.8 Oxide
- La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2 Oxide
- La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.8Co0.2 Oxide
- Custom La/Sr/Fe/Co Oxide
La/Sr/Mn Oxide - La0.5Sr0.5Mn Oxide
- La0.6Sr0.4Mn Oxide
- La0.7Sr0.3Mn Oxide
- La0.8Sr0.2Mn Oxide
- (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98Mn Oxide
- La0.85Sr0.15Mn Oxide
- (La0.85Sr0.15)0.98Mn Oxide
- La0.9Sr0.1Mn Oxide
- Custom La/Sr/Mn Oxide
Interconnect Powders
Chemical Standard Weight % La/Ca/Cr Oxide - La0.7Ca0.3Cr Oxide
- La0.8Ca0.2Cr Oxide
- Custom La/Ca/Cr Oxide
La/Ca/Cr Oxide - La0.7Ca0.3Cr Oxide
- La0.8Ca0.2Cr Oxide
- Custom La/Ca/Cr Oxide
Electrolytes
Chemical Standard Weight % Ce/Gd Oxide - Ce0.8Gd0.2 Oxide
- Ce0.9Gd0.1 Oxide
- Custom Ce/Gd Oxide
Ce/Sm Oxide - Ce0.8Sm0.2 Oxide
- Custom Ce/Sm Oxide
Ce/Y Oxide - Ce0.8Y0.2 Oxide
- Custom Ce/Y Oxide
La/Sr/Ga/Mg Oxide - La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2 Oxide
- La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2 Oxide
- Custom La/Sr/Ga/Mg Oxide
ScSZr Oxide - 10 mol% Sc2O3 / 90 mol% ZrO2
- Custom ScSZr Oxide
YSZ Oxide - 8 mol% Y2O3 / 92 mol% ZrO2
- 10 mol% Y2O3 / 90 mol% ZrO2
- Custom YSZ
Protonic Conductors
Chemical Custom Ba/Ce/Y Oxide Custom Ba/Zr/Y Oxide
Lithium & Sodium Discs
PI-KEM offers both lithium and sodium discs and chips for battery development research.
Lithium discs for li-ion and li-rechargeable battery research.
- Purity: 99.9%
- Diameter: 15.6mm
- Available in 0.25mm th., 0.45mm th.
Sodium discs for Na-ion battery research, coated on one side with aluminium to improve collection of current.
- Purity: 99.7%
- Diameter: 12.0mm, 14.0mm, 15.6mm
- Available in 0.45mm th.
- Available in 50g & 100g
Consumables & Components
Coin Cells:
Specifications of our standard coin cell consumables:
SS304 Coin Cell Cases (CR2016) with O-rings for Battery Research Specifications: Diameter 20mm / Depth 1.6mm
SS304 Coin Cell Cases (CR2032) with O-rings for Battery Research Specifications :Diameter 20mm / Depth 3.2mm
SS304 Stainless Steel Spacers 0.2mm for CR20XX Cells Specifications: Diameter 15.5mm / Depth 0.2mm
SS304 Stainless Steel Spacers 0.5mm for CR20XX Cells Specifications: Diameter 15.5mm / Depth 0.5mm
SS304 Stainless Steel Springs (Belleville Washers) for CR2032 Cases Specifications: Diameter 15.4mm / Height 1.2mm ±0.03 / Thickness 0.2mm
SS304 Stainless Steel Wave Springs for CR2032 Cases Specifications: Outer Diameter 14.5mm / Inner Diameter 10.25mm / Height 1.2mm ± 0.05mm / Thickness 0.3mm
SS316 Stainless Steel Spacers 0.2mm for CR20XX Cells Specifications: Diameter 15.8mm / Depth 0.2mm
Aluminium Spacers for CR20XX Cells Specifications: Diameter 15.5mm / Depth 0.4mm
Gold, Platinum and Aluminium coated options available on cases, spacers and springs.
Kapton Cells for X-Ray analysis available upon request
Meshed Cells for Li-Air research available upon request
See image 1 above
Cylinder Cells:
Specifications of our standard cylinder cell cases available in Stainless Steel and Aluminium:
21700 Cylinder Cell Case with Anti-Explosive Cap Specifications: Case: Outer Diameter 21mm, Inner Diameter 20.5mm, Height 70mm / Top Cap: Diameter 20.5mm, Height 4.05mm
26650 Cylinder Cell Case with Anti-Explosive Cap and Insulation O-ring Specifications: Case: Outer Diameter 26mm, Inner Diameter 25.5mm, Height 68mm / Top Cap: Diameter 25.5mm, Height 5mm
Nickel and Aluminium Tabs available in Widths 3mm, 4mm, 8mm
See image 2 above
Pouch Cells:
Aluminium Laminated Film (for Pouch Cell Case) This aluminum laminated film (115 um)is used as casing material for polymer Li-Ion battery. Specifications: Layers from outside(Shiny) to inside (Mat) / Polyamide (JIS Z1714): 0.025mm (+-0.0025mm) /Adhesive (Polyester-polyurethane): 4-5 g/m2 / Aluminum foil (JIS A8079, A8021):0.040mm (+-0.004mm) / Adhesive (Urethane-free Adhesive): 2-3 g/m2 /Polypropylene: 0.040mm (+-0.004mm) / Length: 7.5m / Thickness: 115μm±5% / Width: 480mm / Surface quality: Mat finish / Pinholes: Subject to the applicable aluminum foil standard / Impurity: 1mm or less in diameter / Fish Eye: 2mm or less in diameter(clear),1mm or less in diameter (colored) / Molding Depth: ≥5.0mm / Electrical Insulating: Good / Hot Sealing Condition: 180-190°C / Moisture Vapor / O2 Transmission Rate: 200ppm / 5 years / Laminate Strength: Nylon/Al more than 2N/15mm Al/CPP more than 5N/15mm / Heat Seal Strength: More than 22.5N/15mm wide at 200℃ x 0.2Mpa x2 sec by MTI's heat-sealing equipment MSK-140 and MSK-115A (Updated from VS-300) / Solvent Retention: Less than 5mg/m2/ Appearance: Within the sample of the limit / Slip Factor: CPP/CPP less than 1.0
Aluminium Tabs with Adhesive Polymer Tape for Positive Terminal of Pouch Cell Specifications: Length 61mm / Thickness 0.09mm / Available Widths: 3mm 4mm, 8mm
Nickel Tabs with Adhesive Polymer Tape for Negative Terminal of Pouch Cell Specifications: Length 60mm / Thickness 0.09mm / Available Widths: 3mm 4mm, 8mm
Custom Dies for cell forming available upon request
Hot Melt Sealing Adhesives available in Widths 4mm, 5mm, 8mm, 30mm
See image 3 above
Split Test Cells:
Split Test Cells for Coin, Cylinder and Pouch Cells available
3-electrode, Gold coated
Quartz and Berylinum window options for Raman/X-Ray analysis
8-Channel Cell for high throughput testing
See image 4 above