A microporous carbon derived from phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin by K2CO3 activation for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A microporous carbon material with large surface area was prepared by carbonizing and activating of phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin, using K2CO3 as activation reagent. The textural characteristics of the carbon materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, elemental analyses, respectively. Results showed that the surface area and pore diameter of the activated carbon were 1,610 m2 g−1 and less than 2 nm. Electrochemical lithium insertion properties were also investigated. At a current density of 100 mA g−1, the activated carbon showed an enormous first-discharge capacity of 2,610 mAh g−1 and the first charge capacity of 992 mAh g−1. From the second cycle, the coulombic efficiency went up rapidly to above 95 %. The results indicated it may be a promising candidate as an anode material for lithium secondary batteries.