Through the use of graphene girders, researchers from the Warwick Manufacturing Group have got closer to replacing graphite in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries with silicon. The change could increase both the capacity and lifespan of batteries. Graphene is a material that has been used for years as an alternative to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) because it can be made into thin sheets by chemical vapour deposition (CVD).
Through the use of graphene girders, researchers from the Warwick Manufacturing Group have got closer to replacing graphite in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries with silicon. The change could increase both the capacity and lifespan of batteries. The researchers are now working on pre-industrial production of silicon/graphene composites and processing them into lithium-ion batteries.