FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with emerging graphite producer EcoGraf Ltd (ASX:EGR, OTCQX:ECGFF) to develop high purity alumina (HPA) doped carbon coatings material for application in the burgeoning lithium-ion battery market.
Notably, initial research has demonstrated that HPA-doped carbon coatings on battery anodes enhance the performance of batteries.
The FYI and Ecograf research collaboration will also include the evaluation of alumina and graphite composites for new battery technologies and materials in clean energy applications.
Value proposition
HPA’s most common application in battery technologies is in a ceramic (HPA/alumina) form as a coating on the separator membranes within the battery cell.
Research indicates that the HPA coating vastly minimises the first cycle power loss during battery charge and discharge cycles due to the effect of the protective HPA layering.
One of these uses is directed at the anode, particularly in lithium-ion batteries, as a result of the observed increase in battery life and performance from the high purity HPA coating applied to the anodes’ graphite particles.
Promisingly, the battery anode coatings market is a significant value proposition given the forecast demand for anode materials.
Technical program
The MoU sets out a technical program, which will include FYI’s HPA and EcoGraf’s purified spherical graphite (SpG).
The initial technical program to produce and evaluate high purity alumina-doped carbon-coated SpG will include:
Development of the efficient utilisation of HPA and/or its ceramic derivatives and formulation as a coating precursor for battery anode material and separators;
Development of an appropriate ALD Coating (Atomic Layer Deposition) process using HPA as coating precursor specific to EcoGraf high purity SpG; and
Battery Coin Cell testing development program for evaluating the performance of HPA ceramic coated EcoGraf™ SpG.
Forward plan
Subject to completing the test work programs, FYI and Ecograf will then agree on the key commercial principles for further collaboration.
FYI are in discussion with Alcoa (NYSE:AA) of Australia Limited negotiating a possible joint venture (JV) regarding FYI’s innovative high-quality HPA refining process.
The JV discussions include participating in selected potential downstream and value-add HPA development and commercialisation opportunities within the electric vehicle, static power, LED and other niche HPA market segments.