Grant: Alliance Grants

A number of morphological considerations are important for graphite particles in the negative electrode of conventional Li-ions batteries. First, the average size of the graphite particles used as the active material typically falls between 18 and 20 microns. Secondly, the irreversible capacity (measured in mAh per gram) is influenced by the specific surface area, which increases as particle size decreases. Finally, the initial lithiation of graphite generates gases like H2, CO, and CO2 and in order to minimize this off gassing, the specific surface area should be kept below 7g/cm2. Presently, because of all these morphological considerations, during the manufacturing and processing of graphite, even if smaller particles could be advantageous [1], particles smaller than 18 microns are often disregarded for anode use in Li-ion batteries. To achieve a zero-waste approach, these small particles need to be repurposed in new anode formulations and technologies for advanced Li-ion batteries, including those with liquid, gel, or solid electrolytes. The main objective of this project is to be able to use small size particle of graphite, in different lithium batteries design, in order to achieve zero waste process and decrease the cost of anode and the pack of the EV. This project aims to study semi-solid and solid-state LIBs based on graphite microparticles smaller than 10 µm as an anode. The different themes will look at repurposing these smaller graphite particles using different combinations of anode materials: i) graphite (small particle size), ii) silicone and iii) lithium, which will be used as chemical lithiation to decrease the irreversible capacity loss. We will investigate a combination of cathode and anode chemistries and various binders and electrolytes to evaluate the electrochemical properties, emphasizing the stability of the SEI layer. Accordingly, the optimum performance of natural graphite with a low particle size will be obtained in the combination of battery parts of electronic devices. The electrolyte significance will be discussed thoroughly in semi-solid/solid-state batteries, concentrating on Li+ intercalation in different structures and reaction kinetics.