From Pitch to Power: Harnessing Domestic Mesophase Pitch for Synthetic Graphite Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Synthetic graphite is a key component in the production of lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery anodes. This paper describes how domestically produced mesophase pitch is synthesized, graphitized, spheronized and made into battery anodes. Results will show that batteries have been made having high specific capacities, record breaking tap densities and surface areas, and low Irreversible Capacity Losses (ICL). Additionally, we will also show the performance advantages of using an isotropic pitch coating as the Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) and provide an example where doping synthetic graphite with silicon nanoparticles boosted the specific capacity above the theoretical value for graphite alone.