University of Michigan: Burned rice hulls could help batteries store more charge

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://news.engin.umich.edu/2024/12/burned-rice-hulls-could-help-batteries-store-more-charge/

DECEMBER 5, 2024
Burned rice hulls could help batteries store more charge
New research finds hard carbon in rice hull ash, providing a cheap, domestic source of the material that can replace graphite in lithium-ion or sodium-ion battery anodes.

BY:
PATRICIA DELACEY

A closer inspection of ash from burned rice hulls, the hard outer layer of rice grains, revealed a form of carbon that could nearly double the energy density of typical lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries.

This sustainable source of ‘hard’ carbon, which outperforms ordinary graphite in battery electrodes, was discovered at the University of Michigan.

This is the first demonstration of hard carbon made through combustion. It was previously thought hard carbon could only be made by heating biomass, such as agricultural waste, to about 1200°C (2200°F) in an oxygen-free environment like nitrogen or argon.

Rather than importing graphite mined from China or Mexico, rice hull ash could provide a higher quality domestic material for making battery electrodes. The process is also more sustainable than producing graphite from biomass, which must be heated to 2000°C (3600°F) or higher—producing five to 10 tons of CO₂ for every ton of battery-grade graphite.

…

https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202400667

[EarnestPutz]

1. Oh. shit. Another advantage to the Chinese EV car makers. :)