A Study on High-Rate Performance of Graphite Nanostructures Produced by Ball Milling as Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Graphite, with appealing features such as good stability, high electrical conductivity, and natural abundance, is still the main commercial anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The charge-discharge rate capability of graphite anodes is not significant for the development of mobile devices and electric vehicles. Therefore, the feasibility investigation of the rate capability enhancement of graphite by manipulating the structure is worthwhile and of interest. In this study, an effective ball-milling process has been set up by which graphite nanostructures with a high surface area are produced. An in-depth investigation into the effect of ball milling on graphite structure as well as electrochemical performance, particularly rate capability, is conducted. Here, we report that graphite nanoflakes with 350 m2 g−1 surface area deliver retained capacity of ~75 mAh g−1 at 10 C (1 C = 372 mA g−1). Finally, the Li+ surface-storage mechanism is recognised by associating the structural characteristics with electrochemical properties.

High-Rate Performance of a Designed Si Nanoparticle–Graphite Nanosheet Composite as the Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…The required starting materials for the Si-graphite nanocomposites were produced using the ball milling machine of the Fritsch PULVERISETTE7 premium line with 80 mL vials and 1.25-1.6 mm zirconia microbeads. Firstly, commercial graphite powder (particle size < 20 µm, Sigma-Aldrich, Sofia, Bulgaria) was ball-milled for 2 h to exfoliate graphite into graphite nanosheets, which is explained elsewhere [23]. In the second stage, Si nanoparticles were produced in two different particle sizes via ball milling of silicon powder (particle size < 150 µm, Sigma-Aldrich) for 1 h in an Ar atmosphere.…”

“…SEM images of the 40SiNPs-GNs, 140SiNPs-GNs, and 250SiNPs-GNs composites are shown in Figure 4. Figure 4a also represents the starting material of graphite nanosheets made by ball milling of commercial graphite, which consists of nanosheets with the thickness of 34-53 nm and the length of 140-800 nm [23]. The low-and high-magnification SEM images of 40SiNPs-GNs show that the SiNPs are inserted among graphite nanosheets and form nanocomposite clusters with a layered structure, in which thin graphite layers are distinguished from SiNPs (Figure 4b).…”

Spent graphite from lithium-ion batteries: re-use and the impact of ball milling for re-use

“…These ndings are consistent with previous research. [49][50][51] In the case of PRG-NMC, ball milling time appears to increase the average potential, from 0.071 V to 0.074 V in PRG-NMC-3h and to 0.134 V in PRG-NMC-30h in the rst cycle. This trend persists in the 100th cycle.…”

Engineering Dry Electrode Manufacturing for Sustainable Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Graphite is the predominant anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), typically 92 wt% due to its numerous advantages, which include natural abundance, affordability, strong cycling stability, a specific capacity of 372 mAh/g, and high electrical conductivity [196][197][198][199][200][201][202]. A recent trend among battery manufacturers is to use anodes made from a combination of carbon and silicon, often in the form of SiO x (silicon oxide); SiO x offers natural abundance, cost-effectiveness, is eco-friendly [203,204], and exhibits a conductivity of approximately 6.7 × 10 −4 S/cm and is often used as a supplementary active material in LIBs to increase the specific capacity of the anode.…”