SME BASE: MWrGO: Sustainable production of conductive additives for batteries

Important results from the project

The SME-project was initiated within the frames of the Vinnova Competence center Batteries Sweden (BASE). In this project the aim was to realise a production process of making reduced graphene oxide(rGO) using microwaves. By utilising an energy and time efficient technique with microwave thermal processing, graphene oxide(GO) was reduced to rGO. The results show that rGO could be produced in a quick and controlled way at about 10% of the temperature needed during conventional heating techniques. rGO has a high electric conductivity and can be used as conductive additive in Li-ion batteries.

Expected long term effects

The project aimed to create an alternative route to produce rGO that wa more energy and time efficient, and without the need for harmful chemicals. The process uses Percyroc´s revolutionary microwave technique and produces quality rGO at a fraction of the time and temperature normally needed. This means that the material can be produced more environmentally friendly way and be more accessible for e.g. the use as a conductive additive to increade the performance of future Li-ion batteries.

Approach and implementation

The project was carried out with one project partner, Percyroc AB. After a literature review of conventional production of the material and requiring the starting material, an iterative process of finding the optimal processing parameters were conducted. It started on a small scale and was later scaled up. The material was characterised and the results were very positive.