Indonesian university uses coffee grounds to make graphene material for lithium-ion batteries

At present, the global lithium-ion battery market is booming
.
By 2030, it is expected to increase from $41.
1 billion in 2021 to $116.
6 billion
.
According to foreign media reports, researchers at the Department of Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (DTMM FTUI) of the University of Indonesia have used coffee grounds to produce graphene materials specifically for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles
.

Lithium-ion batteries are favored for their high energy density, high discharge power, and long service life
.
However, such batteries are prone to safety issues, such as fires from overheating, and the need for frequent and prolonged charging
.
The FTUI team processed coffee grounds into graphene to improve the conductivity of lithium titanate oxide (LTO)
.
In addition, the researchers converted coconut shell waste into activated carbon as an additive for anode active materials
.
With these materials, the battery charging time can be shortened, making it safer
.

This innovative battery produces a more stable current than the widely used graphite lithium battery
.
Anne Zulfia Syahrial, who heads the Li-ion battery development research group at FTUI, said the use of LTO reduces the possibility of short circuits during charging
.

The team also highlighted that, compared to conventional batteries, the nanoparticles produced from coffee-based graphene have a larger surface area, allowing more ions to pass through the material, allowing for smoother energy flow
.

The coffee-based battery was developed for electric vehicles
.
Using innovative materials, the team revealed that the overall weight of the battery can be reduced
.
It is said to produce a working battery weighing around 200kg
.
The current traditional electric vehicle battery weighs about 500kg
.
In comparison, the battery is significantly lighter, helping to increase the battery's range
.
This means fewer charging cycles and shortens the time it takes to fully charge
.

The team is aiming for a full charge in 15 minutes, which is a significant improvement over the current average charge time, which takes about 6 hours for a 7kw (level 2) fast charge
.
Some manufacturers claim a full charge in just 30 minutes, but this usually requires the use of a supercharger
.

Hendri DS Budiono, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Indonesia, hopes that industry players will realize the potential of this innovation and put it to commercial use
.