Facile synthesis of spherical carbon composite particles via a dry granulation process

Abstract

We synthesized spherical carbon composite particles from oil-based raw coke using a dry granulation process. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) such as TiO2, SiO2, and Si were used as additives in the carbon composites. Core–shell and internally mixed composites with microporous structures were formed depending on the type of NPs added and synthesis conditions. In the composites containing silicon species, SiO2 was reduced to SiOx by carbon and volatile constituents in the raw coke during heat treatment. The electrochemical performance of the carbon composites as negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries was investigated. Interestingly, the carbon composites prepared from raw coke and Si showed better performance as negative electrodes than pure graphite.