FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) and Ecograf Ltd have welcomed the “impressive level” of electrochemical performance of FYI's enhanced high purity alumina (HPA) after completing testing as part of an anode and separator coatings development program being conducted in the United States.
The partners have now completed an extended, lithium-ion battery electrochemical performance test program to cover in excess of 110 continuous cycles.
Results have seen near theoretical capacity of 366 mAh/g at 6 to 7% irreversible capacity loss after 110 continuous charge-discharge cycles, which puts the enhanced HPA-coated material into a limited cohort of super-premium anode materials.
The latest test-work also indicates additional concentrations of the FYI HPA dopant will lead to further improvements, however, the final optimum loading will need to be determined.
The HPA-doped carbon coating program was completed by a leading US commercial battery material research facility using EcoGraf's spherical graphite and FYI’s high-quality +4N HPA to produce an HPA-coated graphite anode. Doping is the introduction of HPA onto the carbon-coated anode material.
Next step
Lithium-ion battery showing the enhanced HPA doped coated anode and HPA particles on the polyolefin separator.
Applying FYI’s HPA to polyolefin separators, the component preferred in commercial lithium-ion batteries, showed a further improvement of 7.94 mAh/g reversible capacity.
Given the positive result, the partners will next pair the HPA-enhanced separator with the FYI HPA-doped EcoGraf’s coated anode to determine if the reversible capacity could eventually near theoretical reversible capacity of 372 mAh/g.
FYI managing director Roland Hill said: “The independent test-work into proprietary enhanced FYI HPA anode and coated separator development is very exciting.
"The initial positive results indicate market-leading responses from the FYI high-quality HPA combined with the Ecograf graphite products and the ongoing test-work suggests further improvements to performance are possible.
"The support of the Trailblazer initiative provides a very attractive commercialisation pathway if our test-work continues in a positive direction.”
FYI believes that there is significant market opportunity in the US and Europe for coated anodes, with demand expected to grow 30% per annum.
According to leading industry research group BMI Research, sales prices range between US$5,000 to US$10,000 per tonne, with premium coated anode commanding higher prices.