Silicon-graphene anodes for improved lithium-ion capacity

Silicon-graphene anodes for improved lithium-ion capacity

Wednesday, 1 May 2013 – Energy Storage Publishing

XG Sciences, a developer of anodes for lithium-ion batteries, has launched an anode material using silicon-graphene to achieve four-times the capacity of conventional anodes. The material is produced using the company’s graphene nanoplatelets, which stabilise the silicon particles.

The company says the material displays dramatically improved charge storage capacity, with good cycle life and high efficiencies. Rob Privette, Vice President of Energy Markets for XG said, “Our new silicon-graphene anode material, when used in combination with our existing xGnP graphene products as conductive additives, provides significantly higher energy storage than conventional battery materials.”

XG Sciences has demonstrated a capacity of 1500 mAh/g with low irreversible capacity loss and stable cycling performance in life tests, however the performance of the anode will depend on individual cell manufacturers formulations.

Privette explained the focus of the research team was to develop a material that could be easily substituted into existing production processes for batteries. “Our goal was to minimise the need for major changes to electrode coating processes or assembly techniques,” he added.

The material gives high energy density so is advantageous in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for consumer electronics as well as electrified vehicles. XG Sciences is working with battery makers to incorporate the silicon graphene into batteries for markets ranging from small appliances to extended range electric vehicles.