Graphene-Containing Carbon Particles for Battery Anodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing graphene-containing carbon particles for secondary batteries and electric double layer capacitors require high energy for graphitization and struggle to produce particles with small diameters and desired angular graphene structures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mixture of an organic substance, hydrogen peroxide, and water under high temperature and pressure conditions in a supercritical or subcritical state, followed by heat treatment, to produce carbon particles with a high ratio of D to G peak intensity in Raman spectra, resulting in graphene-containing carbon particles with angularly arranged graphene, suitable for use in batteries and capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spheroidal graphite is used and baked at high temperatures (2800°C to 3000°C) to graphitize, then the carbon particles have good graphitic structure, but the energy cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high-temperature graphitization (2800-3000°C) to a lower temperature range (600-1500°C) by using a different chemical approach. Instead of thermal graphitization, the invention uses chemical vapor deposition with specific carbon source gases to form graphite structures at lower temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining graphitic structure quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal graphitization process with a chemical deposition process. Instead of relying on high-temperature thermal energy to restructure carbon, the invention uses chemical reactions of carbon source gases with controlled deposition to form graphite structures, substituting a chemical mechanism for a thermal-mechanical one
2Quantity of substance
If conventional graphitization methods are used, then carbon particles can be produced, but it is difficult to produce particles with small diameters (less than 1 μm)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by controlling the nucleation and growth process to form numerous small particles instead of fewer large particles. By adjusting reaction parameters such as gas flow rate, temperature, and carbon source concentration, the process generates a high number of small nuclei that grow into fine particles with diameters less than 1 μm, achieving size segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-forming carbon nuclei through controlled chemical reactions before final particle growth. The initial nucleation stage creates numerous small seed particles that serve as bases for subsequent growth, ensuring that particles start small and can be controlled to remain in the sub-micron range through controlled deposition rates
3Shape
If conventional methods are used to produce carbon particles, then carbon material can be obtained, but the graphene structure does not have the desired angular arrangement with respect to the particle surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different graphene orientations in different regions of the particle. The process controls deposition conditions to produce angular arrangements of graphene layers at the particle surface while maintaining different internal structures, achieving spatial variation in structural quality that optimizes both surface properties and bulk characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to control graphene orientation by adjusting deposition temperature, gas composition, and pressure during the chemical vapor deposition process. By varying these parameters, the invention achieves precise control over the angular arrangement of graphene layers, transitioning from random to ordered structures with specific orientations relative to the particle surface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively produces carbon materials with small particle diameters and desired structural orientations, enhancing ion accessibility and performance in secondary batteries and electric double layer capacitors by optimizing graphene crystallinity and orientation.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the organic substance with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under the conditions of high temperature and high pressure
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a mixture containing an organic substance as a starting material, hydrogen peroxide and water under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. to 1000° C. and a pressure of 22 MPa or more
Implementation Method 3
The method may further include the step of heat-treating the carbon particles (heat treatment step). The heat treatment is typically carried out at a temperature higher than the temperature maintained in the carbon particle producing step
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a carbon material which is mainly composed of graphene-containing carbon particles is provided. The method includes a step of producing carbon particles from an organic material by maintaining a mixture containing the organic substance as a starting material, hydrogen peroxide and water under conditions of a temperature of 300° C. to 1000° C. and a pressure of 22 MPa or more. The method further includes a step of heat-treating the carbon particles at a higher temperature than the temperature maintained in the carbon particle producing step. The carbon material produced by the present method has a structure in which substances such as ions can easily enter and leave the graphene structures of the carbon particles, making the carbon material be useful as active materials of secondary batteries and electric double layer capacitors.