Production of suspensions for solid-state batteries

Transferring the active materials and accompanying substances into a coating first involves producing a suspension, i.e., a slurry or paste. The production of solid-state batteries requires comprehensive adaptation and development of processes and accompanying analytics.

Based on the extensive know-how of the participating institutes, the following questions are being investigated at Fraunhofer ZESS:

• How can suspension production and the necessary analytics be carried out with minimal humidity?
• In what ratio and using what process can the active materials and solid electrolytes be combined to create an optimal suspension?
• What additives must be added to the suspension to improve its rheological properties and those of the subsequent layer?

Various mixing units such as dissolvers, planetary mixers, kneaders, and extruders are used for this purpose. The process chain at Fraunhofer ZESS is configured accordingly to enable the steps to be carried out in a dry atmosphere and to allow rheological sample characterization in parallel. At the Fraunhofer Center, it will be possible to replicate these processes up to a batch size of several kilograms in an appropriately designed environment.