Catalytic graphitization of bituminous coal as an anode for Li-ion batteries

The global electrification of mobility and energy storage have increased the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and consequently for graphite, which is the highest-performance anode material for these batteries. The catalytic graphitization of low volatile bituminous coal could be an alternative route to natural graphite, whose natural reserves are limited, or synthetic graphite produced from petroleum or needle coke. Indeed, in the presence of a catalyst (i.e., Fe, Ti, Si, B) the amorphous carbon can be directly converted to graphitic carbon without requiring coke as intermediate and consequently the process economy is improved. Furthermore, temperature higher than 2800°C are usually required for graphitization, but lower temperatures are possible in the presence of a catalyst. Thus, the main focus of this prosed research is identifying a catalyst and its optimal loading for the graphitization of low volatile bituminous coal (Blue Gem) guaranteeing 1) graphitization degree > 90% at temperature lower than 2800°C; 2) low catalyst residual; and 3) BET surface area of 2-5 m2/g. Ti, Fe, La, Pr, B, selected from previous studies on the graphitization of lignin or anthracite, will be mixed in their oxide form with Blue Gem coal and graphitized at 2200-2800°C. The obtained graphite will be characterized by XRD and Raman for the crystal structure parameters and the degree of graphitization, ICP-MS for quantifying the residual catalyst and BET surface area.