EcoGraf Limited (ASX: EGR) continues to obtain positive results from its electrochemical analysis of preferred feedstocks for its proposed EcoGraf battery graphite facility in Kwinana, Western Australia.
Managing Director, Andrew Spinks, said the testwork programme benchmarked a number of existing feedstock supplies and provided the company with valuable data to assist in developing a superior battery graphite product using its proprietary EcoGraf purification process.
Mr Spinks said the results confirmed the preferred EcoGraf feedstocks, including the company’s Epanko material, consistently outperformed existing material under various electrochemical test conditions.
The testwork also confirmed that the physical properties, mineralogy and degree of crystallinity of each natural graphite source directly affects battery anode performance within the lithium-ion battery.
According to Mr Spinks, this is a significant observation as each graphite source has its own unique geological setting, with some sources unable to meet the strict specifications of the battery manufacturers.
Crystallinity is an important property in the lithium-ion battery as the level of crystallinity affects the electrochemical performance. In natural graphite deposits, crystallinity is determined by the geological setting and the extent of natural temperature, pressure forces and time that has been applied in the formation of the graphitic rocks.
Higher crystallinity results from higher temperature and rock pressures for a longer period of time.
The electrochemical testwork was carried out at a leading independent German Research Institute which works with major lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle manufacturers. It was carried out on uncoated natural graphite after processing using EcoGraf purification, with all parameters remaining constant to provide relative results.
Mr Spinks said the results show the best performing feedstocks, with Composite 1 and the Company’s Epanko material, performing best.
“The results confirm that battery graphite produced from these feedstocks can be expected to deliver superior performance when converted into battery graphite using the EcoGraf process.”
