High-capacity nanocarbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries

High energy and power density of secondary cells like lithium-ion batteries become much more important in today's society. However, lithium-ion battery anodes based on graphite material have theoretical capacity of 372 mA h g (1) and low charging-discharging rate. Here, we report that nanocarbons including mesoporous graphene (MPG), carbon tubular nanostructures (CTN), and hollow carbon nanoboxes (HCB) are good candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes. The nanocarbon anodes have high capacity of similar to 1100, similar to 600, and similar to 500 mA h g (1) at 0.1 A g (1) for MPG, CTN, and HCB, respectively. The capacity of 181, 141, and 139 mA h g (1) at 4 A g (1) for MPG, CTN, and HCB anodes is retained. Besides, nanocarbon anodes show high cycling stability during 1000 cycles, indicating formation of a passivating layer-solid electrolyte interphase, which support long-term cycling. Nanocarbons, constructed with graphene layers which fulfill lithiation/delithiation process, high ratio of graphite edge structure, and high surface area which facilitates capacitive behavior, deliver high capacity and improved rate-capability. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.