Fe based catalysts for petroleum coke graphitization for Lithium Ion battery application

Graphitic carbon materials are synthesized by mixing petroleum coke with Fe-based catalysts, followed with annealing under N-2 atmosphere at various iron-based catalysts at 1300 degrees C. We have found that the utilization of iron or iron oxide as catalyst lead to similar graphitic structure formation during heat treatment of petroleum coke. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that iron oxide catalyst leads to the formation of ordered graphitic structure. The use of iron-based catalyst tends to decrease the turbostratic peak, lead to a higher ordered graphite peak. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the morphology structure of graphite powder synthesized using iron or iron oxide is similar. From the full cell testing using NMC-622 cathode, the as-synthesized sample shows good electrochemical properties and comparable to graphite commercial.

Automated summary

Graphitic carbon materials are synthesized by mixing petroleum coke with Fe-based catalysts and annealing at 1300 degrees C under N-2 atmosphere. Iron or iron oxide catalyst leads to similar graphitic structure formation during heat treatment, with iron oxide catalyst resulting in ordered graphitic structure. Iron-based catalyst decreases turbostratic peak and leads to higher ordered graphite peak. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) show similar morphology structure of graphite powder synthesized using iron or iron oxide. Full cell testing using NMC-622 cathode demonstrates good electrochemical properties of the synthesized sample, comparable to commercial graphite.