Saving virgin graphite via utilization of Li-ion battery graphite waste for graphene manufacturing

Research Project, 2023

Purpose and goal
Graphene production is based on exfoliation of mined graphite. The ultimate goal is to experimentally verify the possibility of using graphite from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries as raw material for graphene manufacturing. Objectives: - Demonstrate the possibility of obtaining a large supply of raw material for graphene production from battery waste - Contribute to solving the issue of second life applications for end-of-life EV batteries. - Present a sustainable solution for national and worldwide graphene manufacturing - Reduce the need for mining of pristine graphite

Expected results and effects
A long-term outcome of the project will be to reduce impact on climate change by reusing carbon that is already in the value chain (used in electric vehicle batteries). With recycling of carbon, coupled with future biobased alternatives for creating graphene, mining for pristine fossil-based graphite could be reduced. If graphene products made of battery carbon will have the same quality and characteristics as products manufactured from pristine graphite, there is a big win for both graphene manufacturing industry, battery manufacturing and recycling services.