Lignin based components in Li-ion batteries towards green batteries?

Important results from the project

The goal was to construct a Li-ion battery demonstrator with components containing lignin, a renewable bio based material. The purpose of the demonstrator was to power a radio controlled car in place of a commercial battery, and by using lignin carbon fibre, demonstrate the utility of using an alternative more environmentally sustainable renewable material. The use of lignin in high value applications such as this could provide the bio based forest industry with additional sources of revenue.

Expected long term effects

A battery pack demonstrator consisting of pouch cell Li-ion batteries was constructed to power a radio controlled car. One of the electrodes in each battery was made from lignin based carbon fibres. The battery pack was successfully used to propel the car which demonstrated that a renewable material could be used for high value applications. Lignin is an underutilised and cost efficient material which can be used to manufacture carbon fibres that could be used for energy storage applications.

Approach and implementation

The successful project was completed through cooperation between Innventia, Swerea SICOMP and KTH. Industrial softwood black liquor obtained from a Swedish pulp mill was used as the starting material. Innventia used this to produce a refined high purity lignin which was melt spun and converted to carbon fibres. The carbon fibres were woven into a fabric by Swerea SICOMP. This fabric was used by KTH to construct and test the pouch cell battery. The battery was then used to power a radio controlled car.