Vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) - Basic properties and their battery applications

Submicron vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) obtained by a floating growth method were evaluated in terms of their microstructural development with heat treatment temperature (HTT), physical properties of a single fiber and of the bulk state, and additional effects, such as the filler in the electrode of a lead-acid battery and a Li-ion battery system. Its desirable properties, such as relatively high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, both in the single fiber state and in the bulk state, including their very special network-like morphology, improved the performance of the electrodes in lead-acid batteries and Li-ion batteries, especially their cycle characteristics. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.