Low-cost manufacturing of functionalized Si/graphene composite anode for reduced SEI formation

Develop and demonstrate a Silicon/graphene composite anode material (XG SiG™) that delivers improved capacity retention during full Lithium-ion battery charge and discharge cycling. XG SiG™ delivers significantly increased capacity (up to 2000 mAh/g) compared with incumbent carbon anodes (approximately 370 mAh/g) enabling the high cell gravimetric and volumetric energy densities (> 300 Wh/kg and 800 Wh/L) required to meet the performance targets necessary for widespread adoption of electric vehicles (xEV) and the EV Everywhere program. XGS will use graphene functionalization to tailor the properties of the composite material that will be produced in XGS’ existing low-cost manufacturing equipment. XGS’ Si/graphene composite anode is based on a unique nano-structure design and an innovative compositing process that utilizes graphene to mitigate cycling stability issues of Silicon (Si) particles during cycling. During Phase I, XGS will work with partners Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Georgia Institute of Technology on optimization of the nanomaterial construction focusing on the silicon/ graphene interface. This will focus on management of lithium consumption through extended formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) as well as silicon particle support. The broad market for LIB anode material was $0.7B in 2015 and is expected to grow by double digits year over year for the foreseeable future due to the combined market demand coming from consumer electronics and mobility including xEVs, electric buses, e-bikes, and other applications related to the emerging “un-plugged” connected society. This demand for stored energy comes with a strong interest in reduced size and weight required per Watt-hr of energy. Increased energy density enables greater range in xEVs and longer runtime in smartphones, e-bikes, and lightweight drones. XG SiG™ enables the increased energy density and is applicable to many automotive and non-automotive markets alike. The public will benefit from XGS’ XG SiG™ innovative anode technology that can help enable full range EVs, which is essential to the nation’s energy strategy to reduce reliance in fossil fuels and improve the environment. Further, XG SiG™ is manufactured in Lansing, Michigan – a benefit to U.S. manufacturing in the important area of materials for advanced energy storage, a segment that is dominated by Asian suppliers. Key Words: Lithium ion battery, Silicon, Graphene, electric vehicle