Independent testwork on graphite producer Talga Resources’ Swedish ore has shown it requires less processing— which could pave the way to cheaper lithium-ion batteries.
Tests on the Australian firm’s ore has shown its graphite doesn’t require milling, purification, shaping or coating to meet commercial level performance in capacity over 100 cycles in cell tests.
Independent testing showed that Vittangi graphite ore had a first charge capacity of 375mAh/g, a first discharge capacity of 481mAh/g and average charge capacity over 100 cycles of 357mAh/g.
Vittangi predominantly consists of highly crystalline flake graphite that is naturally less than 15 microns, approximately the size of graphite commonly used in lithium-ion battery anodes.
Talga Managing Director, Mark Thompson said: “These results are significant because charge capacity results matched, and for a period, surpassed those from batteries reliant on industry standard spherical graphite anodes.
“The difference being that Talga’s sample came in a relatively raw natural state and did not require energy hungry milling and toxic refining steps.
“Aside from operational cost reductions without micronising and spheronising, any opportunity to avoid significant capital outlay on complicated spherical graphite plant and equipment is a huge bonus.”
Independent testwork, was carried out at the Max Planck Institute of Polymer Research and Dresden Technical University in Germany using samples of Talga’s Vittangi feedstock.
Testing was carried out using Vittangi feedstock by the Max Planck Institute of Polymer Research and the Dresden Technical University in Germany.
