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Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Bowen Chen1, Hicham Chaouki1, Donald Picard2
1NSERC/Alcoa Industrial Research Chair MACE3 and Aluminium Research Centre-REGAL, Department of Civil and Water Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
This study examines how the physical properties of anode paste change during the baking process used in aluminum production. The researchers measured mass loss, density, porosity, and permeability using various techniques. They introduced a shrinking index to track baking progress and estimated pore pressure in the pitch binder. The permeability correlator helped link high-temperature permeability to air permeability. These results offer new insights into anode behavior and may improve process modeling. The study supports better control of anode production in industrial settings.
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Area of Science:
Background:
The Hall-Héroult process relies on prebaked carbon anodes for aluminum production. Anode quality significantly affects process efficiency. Prior research has shown that anode performance is tied to its physical properties during baking. However, the exact evolution of these properties remains unclear. No prior work had resolved the link between permeability and porosity during high-temperature baking. This gap motivated the current investigation. Existing studies focus on final anode characteristics, not the dynamic changes during baking. The role of pitch binder in porosity development is not fully understood. This paper addresses the need for a detailed analysis of anode paste transformation. It provides a framework for modeling anode behavior under industrial conditions.
Purpose Of The Study:
This study aims to track physical property changes in anode paste during baking. The focus is on mass loss, density, porosity, and permeability. Understanding these changes helps improve anode production efficiency. The researchers propose to link permeability at high temperatures to air permeability. They also estimate real density by combining coal tar pitch and coke properties. The study introduces a shrinking index to reflect baking progress. This index is based on volatile release from open and closed pores. The goal is to better model anode behavior under high-temperature conditions.
Main Methods:
The team used thermogravimetric analysis to measure mass loss during heating. Dilatometry tracked dimensional changes in the anode mixture. Air permeability tests assessed gas flow through the material. Helium pycnometry measured real density at different temperatures. A permeability correlator linked high-temperature permeability to air permeability. The real density at high temperatures was calculated from coal tar pitch and coke data. Open and closed porosities were estimated using permeability values. A sensitivity analysis evaluated the impact of the permeability correlator on results.
Main Results:
Mass loss increased with temperature, reflecting volatile release from the pitch binder. Real density rose as pitch solidified and coke particles compacted. Apparent density decreased due to expansion of the anode mixture. The ratio of apparent volume showed a nonlinear trend during baking. Permeability at high temperatures was significantly higher than at room temperature. Open porosity was found to be more responsive to temperature changes than closed porosity. The shrinking index increased steadily with temperature, indicating progressive baking. Pore pressure in closed pores was estimated to reach several MPa during the process.
Conclusions:
The study highlights the dynamic changes in physical properties during anode baking. The shrinking index offers a new way to monitor baking progress. Permeability and porosity are closely linked to pitch binder behavior. The permeability correlator is a useful tool for modeling high-temperature behavior. Real density estimates help predict anode structural stability. Open porosity is more sensitive to thermal changes than closed porosity. These findings support better modeling of anode performance in industrial settings. The results may improve process control in aluminum production.
The shrinking index reflects the baking level of the anode mixture, based on volatile release from open and closed pores.
A permeability correlator was introduced to connect high-temperature permeability to air permeability measurements.
The researchers propose that combining coal tar pitch and coke real densities provides a more accurate estimate of anode real density.
The permeability correlator links high-temperature permeability to air permeability, enabling better modeling of anode behavior.
Pore pressure was calculated based on the estimated open and closed porosities and the shrinking index.
The findings may improve process control and modeling of anode behavior during high-temperature baking.