Tests Show Very High Graphene Yields
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Graphene Yield percentage (from exfoliated portion of graphite) in excess of 90%.
• Graphene Yield percentage (from total graphite) was in excess of 43.6%. With optimisation MRL anticipates the total yield to approach the TGC of the graphite.
• These results from a leading Australian university are particularly exciting as the tests are preliminary in nature and expected to improve with optimisation.
• The process is extremely quick with graphene produced and completed within ten (10) minutes.
Following on from the ASX release of 13 May 2015, in which the Company disclosed it had achieved outstanding results on the recovery of graphene from MRL’s high-grade graphite ore, the directors are pleased to announce further test work has indicated the Sri Lankan graphite provides a very high graphene yield.
With an exfoliation process time of only 10 minutes, 50% of graphite is exfoliated and gave a graphene yield of >90%. The yield calculation of electrochemically exfoliated graphene from MRL’s graphite will be optimised in future proposed studies.
While MRL is of the view that its high grade graphite ore has a ready market at premium prices, these latest test results suggest that MRL should also be positioning itself as a significant, low cost supplier of graphene to the market. The very high yields being experienced - much higher than any other company has achieved - place the company in a very favourable competitive position
Craig McGuckin said “The result is extremely exciting considering the speed of graphene conversion and yield of >90% when compared to conversion rates of 2% to 12% reported by other listed graphite companies.”
While further test work will be undertaken to optimise the process and the yield the implications of this initial test are significant. The short time frame and low voltage and amperage, yet still significant yields, mean MRL will be looking at achieving high levels of graphene production from low volumes of graphite ore.
MRL’s graphite projects in Sri Lanka have very high grade vein ore, with analysis of drilling core showing a range of 92.8 to 99.3% TGC i. Such high grades and excellent yield results will minimise the capital expenditure required to become a supplier of graphene to the market.
Electrochemical Method
The electrochemical method has been used for the production of graphene from raw graphite.
