Natural graphite VS Artificial graphite

Due to the essential differences between artificial graphite and natural graphite in raw materials and preparation processes, there are obvious differences in micromorphology, crystal structure, electrochemical properties and processing performance. Through the judgment of some differences, Franli learned more about the properties and structure, which is convenient for the development of natural graphite milli and artificial graphite products more efficiently.

Artificial graphite has different physical and chemical properties

Natural graphite and artificial graphite have both commonalities and differences in performance. Natural graphite and artificial graphite are good conductors of heat and electricity, but for graphite powder of the same purity and particle size, natural flake graphite has the best heat transfer and electrical conductivity, followed by natural microcrystalline graphite, and artificial graphite is the lowest. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the application areas are also different.

Differences in microscopic shape

In terms of microstructure, natural graphite is a layered structure, and the layered structure of flake graphite is retained in its SEM section, and there are a large number of gaps between the sheet structures; In the process of high-temperature graphitization, the crystal structure is rearranged according to the ABAB structure, and polymerized and contracted, and its interior is dense and gapless.

Differences in crystal structure

From the perspective of crystal structure, the crystal development of natural graphite is relatively perfect, and the graphitization degree of natural flake graphite is usually above 98%, while the graphitization degree of natural microcrystalline graphite is usually below 93%. The degree of crystal development of artificial graphite depends on the raw material and the heat treatment temperature, in general, the higher the heat treatment temperature, the higher the degree of graphitization. At present, the degree of graphitization of artificial graphite produced by industry is usually less than 90%. The natural graphite anode material has high crystallinity, complete layered structure and small layer spacing.

Difference between graphite at different temperatures

(1) In the SEM profile of natural graphite anode material without high-temperature graphitization, there are gaps between sheet structures, and the SEM profile of artificial graphite anode material is dense and seamless.

(2) In the SEM profile of pure natural graphite anode material treated by high temperature graphitization, there are gaps between sheet structures, the SEM profile of pure artificial graphite anode material SEM structure is dense and gapless, and the gap between natural graphite sheet structures and artificial graphite dense seamless structures coexist in the SEM profile of composite graphite anode materials treated by high temperature graphitization.

Artificial graphite and natural graphite technical route is not clear advantages and disadvantages, more according to their own technical route selection, with the continuous expansion of the power battery market, the comprehensive requirements for material cost, processing performance, energy density, cycle life, fast charging rate and other factors have improved, artificial graphite has become the most important material in China’s anode materials.

In the future, affected by the application of new energy vehicles, the value proportion of artificial graphite will continue to rise. If necessary, you can contact our Franli factory, we will provide preferential price as well as high-quality artificial graphite.