Postdoctoral position in Li-ion battery field at Montreal (Canada)

Graphite is currently used as anode material in commercial Li-ion batteries. During the production of battery-grade graphite, spheronization step achieved by abrasion of natural graphite flakes leads to significant material loss. This waste consists of graphite whose particle size is too small for battery application. The valorization of this fine fraction represents a major stake for any producer of battery-grade graphite. The first objective of this project is to design a reagglomeration process of the fine fraction of graphite in order to obtain particles that can be reintegrated into the battery-grade graphite production circuit, thus ensuring a productivity gain and the recycling of waste. The second objective of this project is to develop composite materials based on graphite and silicon to obtain anodes with high capacity for the next generation of Li-ion batteries. This is a challenge because the high volume expansion of Si during lithiation leads to the disintegration of the electrode, resulting in a poor cycle life. An important part of this project will therefore aim to develop new electrode formulations ensuring their good stability with cycling despite the significant volume expansion of Si. Lastly, prototyping tests of Li-ion batteries integrating our Si-based anodes will be carried out in order to precisely quantify the achievable gains in terms of mass and volume energy densities relative to to a conventional Li-ion battery with graphite anode. This project will be carried out in close collaboration with a Canadian graphite producer.

The postdoctoral fellow recruited for this project will work more specifically on the development of the graphite reagglomeration process.