Challenges with Niobium

Niobium’s lower melting point compared to tantalum presents a challenge. Furthermore, niobium exhibits multiple oxide forms and readily transitions between them. This transition ability can significantly undermine the metal’s effectiveness, particularly in harsh environments and capacitors.

Niobium and the Lithium-Ion Battery Industry

Ironically, niobium’s easily transitional oxides are causing a growth in demand for the metal, specifically in the field of lithium-ion batteries.

The Role of Niobium in Lithium-Ion Batteries

In a lithium-ion battery, the anode acts as a storage site for lithium atoms. When the battery discharges, lithium atoms relinquish an electron, migrate through the battery’s electrolyte, and bond with the battery cathode. Current anodes are predominantly graphite, while cathodes are typically nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) compounds or lithium iron phosphate (LFP) compounds.

Niobium’s Role in Anode and Cathode Composition

Anodes and their Limitations

Graphitic carbon anodes used in most lithium batteries today store lithium atoms in a process called intercalation. However, over time, charge cycling can cause damage to the anode due to swelling and contraction, and too rapid charging can result in lithium plating out, compromising the battery’s safety.

Niobium as an Alternative to Traditional Anode Materials

Introducing silicon to the anode of lithium batteries could be one solution to these issues. However, the use of silicon comes with its challenges, which has led to the exploration of niobium compounds as alternatives and upgrades.