A Study on the Electrochemical Characteristics of Kerosene Derived Carbon Nanospheres As Anode Materials of Lithium Secondary Batteries

Abstract

In this study, carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were synthesized by the nebulyzed assisted pyrolysis process using kerosene as carbon precursors, ferrocene catalyst and activated carbon support at elevated temperature under an nitrogen atmosphere. Morphology and structure of as grown CNSs were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the carbon products had a turbostratic structures and high degree of disorder carbon structures. Preliminary electrochemical measurements of kerosene derived CNSs as anode materials of lithium secondary batteries were carried out using charge –discharge tests. Experimental results showed that a stable cycle performances until the 100th cycles was obtained with specific capacity of 200 mAh/g. However, the main problem is the high irreversible capacity at the first cycle due to the low purity and non uniform carbon nano-spheres.