Eco-conversion of coal into a nonporous graphite for high-performance anodes of lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Porous carbons are always proposed as electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); however, their high porosity and large surface areas lead to severe side reactions with electrolytes. Here, a new kind of non-nanopore carbon was designed for the anode material of LIBs. It was prepared from catalytic synthesis of a porous carbon from coal followed with graphitization. The graphitization removes the micro/mesopores of the porous carbon, and creates a new kind of carbon with very limited porosity and defects, which can evade side reactions with electrolytes. The resultant structure of the material can facilitate ion transport, provide a good conductivity, and alleviate the stresses experienced in repeated charge/discharge. The material exhibits excellent lithium-storage properties, including a high reversible capacity of 347 mAh g−1 and high cycling stability (no capacity fading during 1000 cycles). The material might be an alternative to artificial graphite considering its facile preparation and excellent performance.