Indonesian University uses coffee grounds to make graphene materials that can be used in lithium-ion batteries

　　At present, the global lithium-ion battery market is booming. By 2030, it is expected to increase from US$41.1 billion in 2021 to US$116.6 billion. According to foreign media reports, researchers from the Department of Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (DTMM FTUI) of the University of Indonesia use coffee grounds to produce graphene materials, specifically for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles.

　　Lithium-ion batteries are popular due to their high energy density, high discharge power, and long service life. However, such batteries are prone to safety issues, such as fires due to overheating, and frequent and long-term charging.

　　The FTUI team processed coffee grounds into graphene to improve the conductivity of lithium titanate oxide (LTO). In addition, the researchers converted the coconut shell waste into activated carbon as an additive for the negative electrode active material. Using these materials can shorten the battery charging time and make it safer. The current generated by this innovative battery is more stable than the graphite lithium battery that is currently widely used.

　　Anne Zulfia Syahrial, head of the FTUI lithium-ion battery development and research team, said that the use of LTO can reduce the possibility of short circuits during charging. The team also emphasized that, compared with traditional batteries, the nanoparticles produced by coffee-based graphene have a larger surface area, allowing more ions to pass through the material, which makes the energy flow smoother. The coffee-based battery is developed for electric vehicles.

　　The team revealed that the use of innovative materials can reduce the overall weight of the battery. It is said that a working battery weighing about 200kg can be produced. The current traditional electric vehicle battery weighs about 500kg. In contrast, this battery is significantly lighter, which helps to increase the battery's range. This means fewer charging cycles and shortens the time required to fully charge.

　　The team's goal is to fully charge in 15 minutes, which is a significant improvement over the current average charging time, which is about 6 hours for 7kw (level 2) fast charging. Some manufacturers claim that it takes only 30 minutes to fully charge, but this usually requires the use of super charging stations. Hendri D.S. Budiono, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Indonesia, hopes that industry professionals can realize the potential of this innovation and use it for commercial purposes.

　　Lithium-ion battery (LIB) has become the main energy storage solution in modern social life. Among them, lithium iron phosphate battery is a perfect replacement for lead-acid batteries, and it is the first choice for grid-connected peak shaving, off-grid energy storage, photovoltaic energy storage, UPS, data center and other industries.