Australian graphene discovery could unlock cheaper, more efficient li-ion batteries


 

Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in New South Wales, in collaboration with scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, have discovered a form of graphene, known as Edge Functionalized Graphene (EFG), which is both highly conductive and processable, and promises that it could improve both the cost and efficiency of lithium-ion batteries. EFG which is found as nano-sized platelets could be used as a valuable carbon additive for a variety of electrochemical devices. EFG was initially discovered back in 2017, but researchers subsequently had to determine what the material “actually is” in order to simplify the manufacturing process. The new material should enable companies to improve their battery materials’ electrical conductivity, and therefore improve the quality. EFG is made by a simple and highly scalable production process that yields this unique material.

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