Anode for Li-ion cell based on expanded graphite modified with Li2CO3

The present paper reports a novel approach to the problem of diminishing the irreversible capacity of carbon anodes for Li-ion cells. The electrochemically synthesized HClO4-graphite-intercalation compound (HClO4-GIC) was thermally exfoliated in molten lithium carbonate to produce anode material. The changes observed in the structure and surface area of expanded graphite proved the influence of lithium carbonate on the mechanism of exfoliation. The results of galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements of expanded graphite-based anodes showed both the considerable decrease in irreversible capacity loss and the increase in reversible capacity in comparison with anodes prepared from the precursor graphite.