A kish graphitic lithium-insertion anode material obtained from non-biodegradable plastic waste

Graphitic carbon continues to dominate as the choice anode material in lithium-ion batteries despite its theoretical specific capacity of 372 mAhg(-1). Tailored forms of graphite with higher practical capacities should, therefore, be of interest to the industry. This paper reports the production of a kish graphitic anode material from polyvinyl chloride by simultaneous carbonization of the polymer and dissolution of the resulting carbon in an iron melt to produce a supersaturated solution of carbon in iron, and subsequent precipitation of the carbon as graphite upon cooling. Our study presents a process for converting non-biodegradable plastic wastes that litter our surroundings into a technologically useful product. The new material exhibits a first-cycle reversible capacity of 444 mAhg(-1) and sustains at least 200 cycles at C/10 rate before its capacity drops below 372 mAhg(-1). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.