Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX:LEL) has confirmed “excellent” battery electrochemical test-work results from spherical purified graphite (SPG) produced from its Burke Graphite Project in northwest Queensland.
The company says the results of the electrochemical battery test work, overseen by ProGraphite, provide further validation of the “exceptional quality” of the Burke Graphite as a highly valued battery anode material (BAM) for use in lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion battery cells made with Burke uncoated spherical purified graphite (SPG) — purified to 99.97% TGC — are proving to be highly suitable as anode material for use in lithium-ion batteries.
“These outstanding electrochemical battery testing results are the final piece of the ‘BAM puzzle’ that confirms Burke Graphite as an exceptional material for use in Li-ion batteries,” Lithium Energy executive chairman William Johnson said.
Results achieved
The reversible capacity (a measure of the charge the battery can hold) of 362-364 mAh/g achieved is close to the theoretical maximum charge capacity of natural graphite of 372mAh/g and is an exceptional result for uncoated SPG. Further enhancements to specific charge capacity are still likely with further SPG shape optimisation and a SPG coating process.
The chart below shows the charge and discharge performance of the test battery, with the tight spacing of the curves highlighting the high coulombic efficiency.
Very high Coulometric efficiencies of 99.3-99.8% were achieved over multiple charging and discharging cycles of the battery test, which implies the anode returns a very high portion of the lithium ions stored during the charging process, suggesting a high quality, high-performing battery process.
The electrochemical battery testing also highlighted the Burke SPG’s high crystallinity, and that the material was very stable during testing, with the anode material not showing any damage after being charged and discharged at high capacities through multiple cycles.
These are important factors in ensuring long-term battery stability and high anode life expectancy.
Looking ahead
Lithium Energy will continue to enhance the Burke SPG material by further optimising the SPG shape and surface area and by testing various coating products, which should further improve the electrochemical properties of the Burke SPG as anode material.
The company said that the work completed to date provided the confidence to advance plans to build an SPG pilot manufacturing plant in Queensland.
The SPG pilot plant will provide marketing samples for potential offtake customers of Burke graphite and training for future operating staff for the planned full-scale commercial BAM facility proposed for Townsville, Queensland.
“The company will now focus on optimising the BAM development pathway and implementing a process to produce marketable quantities of SPG that will be used to secure offtake agreements,” said Johnson.
“This includes continuing its plans to install and operate an SPG Pilot Plant in Queensland. We are now entering a very exciting phase of the development of our vertically integrated Australian-based BAM business.”
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