with the increase in demand for wireless technologies and devices (smartphones, smart watches, laptops) and the beginning of commercialization of electricity accumulation technologies (electric cars, Tesla Power Wall) increases the demand for lithium-ion batteries. If the scale of their production will continue to grow, some components of the batteries may be in short supply. Such components, in particular, include cobalt. From September 2016 to February 2017, exchange prices for it rose by more than 50%, exceeding the maximum of 2010
Physics
It is believed that the name of Cobalt gave the German word “kobold”, which means “goblin”. Perhaps because this metal is really harsh: it is heat -hearted (melting temperature - 1496 ° C) and has a very dense crystalline lattice. Cobalt is resistant to corrosion, has magnetic properties and forms brightly colored chemical compounds. For the last reason, it has been widely used since ancient times in the manufacture of blue paint for paintings, frescoes, painting on porcelain, glass, etc.
times have changed - and the aesthetic characteristic of cobalt has become less important than its physical and electrochemical properties. This metal today is present in most lithium-ion batteries for portable and stationary devices. Such batteries contain a positive electrode (cathode) with oxide and cobalt salts and negative graphite electrode (anode).
A wonderful property of cobalt compounds - the ability to absorb a large number of lithium ions without destruction - pours into the high energy density of the electrochemical element.
It should be noted that cobalt consumption in the manufacture of batteries is quite large. Tesla Power Wall, capable of accumulating 14 kWh, contains about 7 kg of this metal, and in the battery of the Tesla Model S car 85 kW · h - 22.5 kg.
Production issues
with the growth of the popularity of devices equipped with lithium-ion batteries, the demand for cobalt naturally grew (see Fig. 1). The metal consumption schedule does not still resemble the rocket of the Ilona Mask rocket, but, most likely, it will bend upward, pushed by the distribution of electric vehicles, industrial and home electricity drives.
