Electrochemical performance of natural graphite by surface modification using aluminum

We investigated electrochemical performance of natural graphite surface-treated with aluminum compared to that of untreated graphite. Aluminum triethoxide was used as the treatment source. In the treatment process, the drying temperature has critical influence on electrochemical performance of the treated samples. The surface property of treated samples was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The E-2g vibration mode of the treated sample was sharpened and shifted upward, whereas no remarkable changes were found in A(1g) mode. The electrochemical performance improved markedly with Al treatment. The impedance measurement shows that the Al treated sample had much smaller charge-transfer resistance during cycling. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.