Cokes as negative electrodes in secondary batteries

Abstract

The lithium intercalated carbons (Li x C 6) have replaced the metallic lithium negative electrodes in secondary lithium batteries. In order to improve high energy density and long cycle life, it is necessary to find those carbonaceous materials that have an excellent lithium intercalation and de-intercalation capacity. In this work, the electrochemical behaviour of various cokes in ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) electrolyte were investigated by charge and discharge cycling processes and cyclic voltammetry technique. The petroleum coke (C342) has the highest capacity during cycling and the lowest irreversible capacity loss during the first cycle. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that the cycle efficiencies of three cokes are very high.