Electrochemical lithium intercalation into and de-intercalation out of B/C materials used as Li-ion battery anodes

Abstract

Boron/carbon materials (B/C materials) having graphite-like layered structure were prepared and characterized as the anodes of lithium (Li) ion batteries (LIBs). Li was electrochemically intercalated and de-intercalated into and out of the host B/C materials, respectively. The material with a composition of BC7.9 showed the highest reversible capacity about 580 mAh/g among the materials prepared in this study. Ex-situ XRD study indicated that the intercalation of Li into the layers of B/C materials occurred during the discharge process to form finally first stage compound. 7Li and 11B-NMR observations suggested that the intercalated Li had an interaction with the boron in B/C materials. This interaction could make larger capacities of B/C materials as the anodes of LIBs.