A slurry is a generic term for denser solids suspended in a liquid. The two components retain their separate identities, analogous to oil and water. This is a popular method for transporting raw materials such as minerals through water, for processing elsewhere. But now Forbes magazine reports a new graphene slurry for coating battery electrodes has arrived.
Graphene Material for Battery Anodes and Cathodes
Graphene is a popular material for battery anodes and cathodes, because it has a relatively high surface area. This allows the material to intercalate more ions between its layers, enabling greater capacity and longer charge life.
However, battery makers would need to reduce the physical bulk of graphene in electrodes, to make a graphene battery affordable to manufacture.
A Novel Graphene Slurry for Coating Battery Electrodes
Forbes Magazine announced an apparent breakthrough in the economic use of graphene in lithium-ion batteries, on November 22, 2024. The gist of this was that an Australian company had developed a novel graphene slurry for coating battery electrodes.
We understand that their immediate application would improve the lifetime and performance of lithium-ion batteries. The Graphene Manufacturing Group bases this claim on an Oxford University study, hinting at ‘longer battery life due to a 2.5-times reduction in ionic resistivity.’
A Shallow Dive Into Ionic Resistivity
Ionic resistivity in this instance refers to resistance to current flow within a battery. This may be due to electrolyte conductivity, ion mobility, electrode surface area, or a combination of these. It follows that the novel graphene slurry for coating battery components must accelerate the flow of charge-carrying ions.
A Core Application For Graphene Slurry Coating
A visit to the Graphene Manufacturing Group website, reveals that the company developed the product specifically for its novel graphene aluminum-ion battery project.
The manufacturer claims high electrical conductivity, low charge transfer resistance, and high density compared to other alternatives. Negotiations are in progress with various battery manufacturers as we write.
More Information
Graphene Cathodes Enhance Conductivity
