Synthesis and application of biomass based carbon nanotubes as anode materials of lithium ion Batteries

Abstract

In this study, carbon nano materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) will be prepared from waste cooking oil and biomass based activated carbon. The main aim of this research project is the utilization of carbon nanotubes derived from biomass waste as anode materials of lithium ion batteries. At present, carbon materials originated from biomass waste are an effective choice by virtue of (i) their providing an alternative method of waste management and (ii) the low cost of the raw materials. However, the target of the first year project is to synthesize such carbon nano-structures from virgin cooking oil (palm oil) as carbon precursors and commercial activated carbons as catalyst support. Initially we will carry out three methods of catalyst preparation on carbon support such as adsorption, impregnation and urea deposition methods and after that, we will mix the carbon support with the oil with certain ratio. Finally, the simple pyrolysis can be conducted in the electrical furnace to obtain carbon nano-structures. The as-prepared carbon products are systematically characterized by a variety of means such as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) and Raman Spectroscopy. The samples are then tested as anode materials of lithium ion batteries using cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge-discharge tests. The long-term goal of this project is to prepare a low cost electrode materials for lithium ion batteries based on the local Indonesian renewable resources so it can be extented to the cost-effective mass production of carbon nano materials. The mass production of low cost CNTs will contribute to the development of electric vehicles in the future.