Novel Oxidation-Resistant Stable Electrolytes for High Voltage

Morrow Batteries aims to build the world’s most sustainable, cost-effective batteries. Morrow is currently building its first prismatic battery cell factory in Arendal, Norway and ultimately aims to produce 42 GWh of energy per year. With its Generation 2, Morrow is targeting the development of cobalt-free batteries. This unique cell chemistry is both more affordable and more sustainable than current technologies, and the high voltage technology promises to store a large amount of energy. However, current state-of-the-art battery electrolytes are optimised for lower-voltage batteries, and are not always stable at high voltages. The NORSE-HV project is a collaboration between Morrow and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) that aims to develop and screen new electrolyte formulations that are more stable with Morrow’s battery chemistry, facilitating the industrialisation of high-voltage, cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries to power the energy transition.

Lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) is a high-voltage battery cathode material whose sustainability and low cost arises due to the elimination of cobalt and reduced use of nickel compared to many current cathode materials. The high voltage applied in LNMO cells can cause the electrolyte solution to break down, reducing the amount of energy the battery can store and shortening its useful lifetime. The NORSE-HV project aims to formulate and test new electrolyte solutions that are more stable towards high voltages, so that the cycle life of LNMO batteries can be extended. Morrow Batteries and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) will combine their years of experience in battery development and testing to identify new electrolytes for LNMO batteries. Novel electrolyte candidates will be assessed both chemically and electrochemically and battery cell testing will be carried out in various cell formats to ensure industrial feasibility. These innovative electrolytes will then be incorporated into LNMO prismatic cells, to be manufactured at Morrow’s factory in Arendal.