This study introduces a cost-effective electrochemical exfoliation technique for producing highly crystalline graphene from graphite. By optimizing key exfoliation parameters, including voltage, electrolyte concentration, and temperature, the efficiency of the exfoliation process and the quality of the resulting graphene were significantly improved. To further enhance crystallinity, minimize defect sites, and achieve superior material properties, the as-prepared electrochemically exfoliated graphene (AeEG) underwent post-heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1500 to 2950 °C. When employed as a conductive additive, eEGs heat-treated at 1800 °C or higher significantly improved both cycle stability and rate performance in LIB coin cells, while maintaining a discharge capacity approximately 10–12 mAh/g higher than that of the control, which utilized Super P. The enhanced performance is attributed to the formation of an efficient conductive network and superior electron transport properties, driven by the high crystallinity and large aspect ratios of the heat-treated eEGs. These findings highlight the potential of eEG as a highly effective conductive additive for advanced battery industries, offering significant improvements in energy storage performance, specific capacity, and rate characteristics.

Synthesis of highly crystalline electrochemically exfoliated graphene as a conductive additive for lithium-ion batteries
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Electrochemical exfoliation of graphene
        2.3 Preparation of heat-treated eEG
        2.4 Material characterization
        2.5 Electrochemical measurement
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Electrochemical exfoliation of graphene
        3.2 Effect of heat-treatment temperature on eEG
        3.3 Electrochemical performance of eEG
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Ho Seok Park(Department of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 23 Haryul‑ro, Jangan‑gu, Suwon‑si, Republic of Korea)
• Seo La Yoon(Hydrogen & C1 Gas Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141 Gajeong‑ro, Yuseong‑gu, Daejeon‑si, Republic of Korea, Department of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 23 Haryul‑ro, Jangan‑gu, Suwon‑si, Republic of Korea)
• Young‑Pyo Jeon(Hydrogen & C1 Gas Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141 Gajeong‑ro, Yuseong‑gu, Daejeon‑si, Republic of Korea, Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217, Gajeong‑ro, Yuseong‑gu, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author