Quantitative Phase Analysis and Structural Investigation of Graphite Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Recycling of graphite anode from lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has grown in recent years necessitating the development of advanced characterization methods. It is essential to establish a robust procedure to determine the changes in the crystalline structure, degree of graphitization, and the ratio of the 2H graphite phase to the 3R graphite phase. The distinction between graphite phases has crucial implications for the performance of LIBs. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), quantitative and semi-quantitative phase analysis methods were employed to determine the structural parameters of graphite, the degree of graphitization, and the ratio of 2H to 3R phase based on the detection of diffraction lines within the 40 and 48 degrees 2 theta region. Quantitative XRD analysis of a natural graphite sample using the internal standard method revealed that the relative amount of the 3R phase is 27.18 wt.%. This insight can prove invaluable for industries aiming to optimize the recycling process and maintain high battery performance standards.