Urchin-like nano/micro hybrid anode materials for lithium ion battery

Inspired by a special biological structure in nature, a kind of urchin-like nano/micro hybrid design was proposed to modify conventional micrometer-sized electroactive materials for lithium ion battery (LIB). By catalytic chemical vapor deposition to in situ grow carbon nanofibers on the surface of natural graphite spheres, we fabricated the nano/micro hybrid composite with an urchin-like structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) workstation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy were employed to characterize the composite. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the cyclability and rate capability of the composite as anode material for LIB were significantly improved. Furthermore, the design also demonstrated its effectiveness in other kinds of anode materials such as transition metal oxides. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.