Fe based catalysts for petroleum coke graphitization for Lithium Ion battery application

Abstract Graphitic carbon materials are synthesized by mixing petroleum coke with Fe-based catalysts, followed with annealing under N2 atmosphere at various iron-based catalysts at 1300 °C. We have found that the utilization of iron or iron oxide as catalyst lead to similar graphitic structure formation during heat treatment of petroleum coke. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that iron oxide catalyst leads to the formation of ordered graphitic structure. The use of iron-based catalyst tends to decrease the turbostratic peak, lead to a higher ordered graphite peak. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the morphology structure of graphite powder synthesized using iron or iron oxide is similar. From the full cell testing using NMC-622 cathode, the as-synthesized sample shows good electrochemical properties and comparable to graphite commercial.