X-BATT’s Glassact SiOC spherical anode targets 800 mAh/g and 8,000 cycles—more than double graphite’s capacity

X-BATT has introduced Glassact, a novel spherical silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) anode material designed to significantly outperform traditional graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The company has set ambitious performance targets for Glassact, aiming for a reversible capacity exceeding 800 mAh/g—more than double that of graphite—alongside the ability to sustain over 8,000 charge cycles with minimal capacity loss. These targets also include rapid charging capabilities above 8C while maintaining over 80% of nominal capacity and limiting electrode swelling to under 8%, addressing key challenges in battery longevity and stability. The production process for Glassact involves shaping a proprietary pre-ceramic resin into uniform microspheres before converting them into ceramic through a low-temperature pyrolysis method. This results in a unique internal structure where a conductive carbon scaffold supports a glassy ceramic matrix, all encapsulated by a protective outer shell. This design aims to stabilise lithium storage and reduce electrolyte decomposition, a common issue with silicon-based anodes, by limiting the surface area exposed to the electrolyte. The spherical morphology and chemical stability of the SiOC material help mitigate the swelling problems typically seen with pure silicon anodes, which suffer from significant expansion during lithiation. X-BATT highlights the dimensional stability of Glassact as a crucial advantage over pure silicon anodes, which tend to degrade rapidly due to mechanical stress caused by volume changes. While SiOC offers slightly lower capacity compared to pure silicon, it still delivers more than twice the capacity of graphite with far better cycling durability. The company also emphasises that the material is domestically produced using an emulsion process compatible with existing industrial equipment, suggesting a clear pathway towards scalable manufacturing. Although these performance targets have yet to be independently verified, X-BATT’s transparent publication of their goals sets them apart in a sector often criticised for overpromising. If realised, Glassact could represent a significant step forward in battery anode technology, potentially enabling longer-lasting and faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. The development underscores ongoing efforts to overcome the limitations of current graphite anodes and push the boundaries of energy storage performance.