Green Anode
Charging Ahead !!Green Anode Technology
C4V's constant pursuit of improving our battery performance isn't just limited to the Cathode or Electrolyte components of the battery chemistry. We consider the entire battery and, true to our DNA, C4V identifies opportunities to innovate on all battery systems always keeping in mind our filters for any new innovation; sustainability and the potential for commercialization.
Our understanding of the entire LIB Value Chain afforded us an opportunity on the Anode side of the battery, where Graphite is a dominant material that provided the opportunity for innovation.
Flake graphite is a naturally occurring form of graphite that is commonly found in metamorphic rocks and is typically mined through either open-pit or underground methods.
The C4V Green Anode Process requires Flake Graphite to go through various steps before it can be turned to anode ready material for use in Lithium-ion battery production including Purification, Spheronization and Carbon Coating which are mechanical processes completed without the use of harsh chemicals, that minimize energy consumption and creates a particle that is much more efficient to utilize.
C4V Graphite Processing Tech Vs. Legacy Graphite Processing Tech
C4V Green Anode Technology |
Legacy Graphite Processing Technology |
|---|---|
| High Yield | Lower Yield |
| Lower Energy Consumption | Energy Intensive Process |
| Low Carbon Footprint | Higher Carbon Footprint |
| High Reversible Capacity (> 354 mAh) | Inferior |
| High First Cycle Efficiency (> 94%) | Inferior |
| Environmentally Friendly | Harsh Chemical Usage |
| Safe and sustainable utilization of byproducts | No value additions |
Major Benefits
Higher first-cycle efficiency and specific capacity
Illustration of comparison between a cell made with standard anode with 91% FCE and cell made with Graphite that has gone through the C4V Process which has 94.4% FCE. This image is merely an illustration and in practical scenario FCE varies with different parameters, while we kept most of those variables constant and only changed the Anode Active Material.
Initial Charge - Discharge Curve of the C4V Green Anode Product.
Higher Energy Density
Picture compares range of an electric vehicle built with 91% FCE Anode versus C4V Green Anode that delivers 94.3% FCE without any Chemical or Thermal purification technique. This is an illustrative example to compare FCE, in reality this number varies from vendors, choice of Chemistry and other electrochemical properties of components such as electrolyte.
Other Benefits
- Improved cycling performance
- Reduced particle agglomeration in electrode slurry for commercial manufacturing
- Improved safety
Summary
- Achieved High Reversible Capacity & First Cycle Efficiency (FCE)
- Technology validated by leading EV Manufacturer
- No Chemical or Thermal Purification is required
- Excellent Particle Engineering (shape, size, surface, crystal structure and density)
- Low-Cost compared to other anode materials
- Easily Adaptable to large-scale production
- Flexibility to meet a range of customer specifications at high yield
Bottom Line
A cleaner, greener and more efficient process resulting in a higher purity product that makes better performing batteries…….. Plus benefits to other Industries using Graphite processed through legacy methods?
Just another day at the lab for C4V.
C4V CHARGING AHEAD!
Taking a Deeper Dive: The Tech behind the Tech
Purification: The purification step removes impurities and contaminants that can negatively impact the safety of the battery and performance characteristics like Capacity fading, cycle life, stability issues and poor conductivity of the Battery.
Spheronization: Spheronization is a process used to convert flake graphite into spherical graphite. This process involves the reduction of particle size by using mechanical milling and running the material through Spheronization Equipment in order to achieve uniform and spherical shape. Improved material packing is achieved through Spheronization lead to increased energy density, improved rate performance, and enhanced stability and safety compared to anodes made from flake graphite.
Carbon coating: Carbon coating on spherical, purified graphite enables each small sphere of purified graphite to be covered with an amorphous carbon coating that reduces the graphite’s porosity, decreases exfoliation and, therefore, increase the performance and life span of the battery.