COphite Material is a carbon-based anode that is designed to extend the roadmap for graphite anodes. The COphite material is the world’s first known form of solid carbon monoxide (CO) at room temperature and pressure. This new material has a unique set of beneficial properties, can be produced from renewable feedstocks and is protected by fundamental issued and pending patents.

The interaction of Li atoms with a single layer of solid carbon monoxide demonstrates that Li2C6O6 configuration is energetically stable while an equivalent configuration for graphene (Li2C6) is not. The highest concentration (Li2C2O2) has a theoretical capacity of 957mAh/g and a formation energy near zero. Analysis of the band structure and density of states show that the Li donates a large fraction of its valence electron to the carbon monoxide monolayer, although there is also the formation of covalent Li–O bonds, thus facilitating the formation of Li+ ions when leaving the monolayer. These characteristics are desirable for battery anode materials and suggest that COphite material, a composite containing solid carbon monoxide, especially in multilayer form, is a promising for higher specific capacity solution. COphite materials produced with a scalable process demonstrate excellent anode performance.

COnovate is pursuing the lithium-ion battery (LIB) market for the first commercial application of the COphite material. The COphite material offers battery cell manufacturers an evolutionary drop-in solution for significantly improving battery performance and safety compared to traditional LIB cells. The material works seamlessly with incumbent anode materials and battery designs. This enables rapid industry adoption of the material with the capability to power phones for days, energize electric cars for long trips, charge power tools for numerous projects within minutes, all without risk of fire.