Battery anode materials: Characteristics
The capacity and density tests that let EVs fast-charge
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Cell makers qualify anode on reversible capacity, first-cycle efficiency, compaction density, particle size and surface area, and fast-charge rating. These depend on the coke, graphitisation temperature and coating, so qualification is slow and switching rare.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific capacity | storage-grade synthetic graphite 353-355 mAh/g (up from 350); theoretical limit of graphite 372 mAh/g | Sets cell energy | GGII (Feb 2026); theoretical value standard |
| Compaction density | 1.6 to 1.65 g/cm3 for storage-grade synthetic graphite | Higher density means more energy per volume | GGII (Feb 2026) |
| Fast-charge rating | over 80% of Q4 2025 power-battery synthetic graphite supported 2C, over 40% supported 4C | Lets EVs charge in 10-20 minutes | GGII (Feb 2026) |
| Purity | at least 99.95% C | Impurities cause side reactions and gas | graphite tile (Fastmarkets spec) |
Commercial grades
- Power-battery synthetic (fast-charge 2C, 4C)
- Storage-grade synthetic (long-life)
- Natural spherical coated (SPG)
- SiOx and silicon-carbon blends
- Hard carbon (sodium-ion)
- Lithium titanate