Preparation and electrochemical characterizations of poly(3,4-dioxyethylenethiophene)/LiCoO 2 composite cathode in lithium-ion battery

Abstract

A composite electrode material, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/LiCoO 2-carbon fibers (VGCF) from a continuous process of electrochemical deposition of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer on the pre-formed LiCoO 2-VGCF electrode, was prepared and characterized to test its applicability in lithium-ion battery. Compared to the bare LiCoO 2-VGCF electrode, use of PEDOT/LiCoO 2-VGCF composite as cathode in lithium-ion battery has enhanced properties such as the cyclability, electrochemical stability, intercalation/deintercalation rate of lithium ion and rate capability. Scanning electron microscope shows the successful coating of PEDOT on the LiCoO 2 particles and the VGCF fibers. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans of the charged cathodes show that incorporation of PEDOT reduces the thermal stability of the cathode.