Anodic performances of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) prepared from synthetic naphthalene isotropic pitch

Mesocarbon Microbeads (MCMB) carrying five different types of hexagon alignment, parallel, deformed onion-like, longitude-like, longitude-like with disclination, and Brooks/Taylor (latitude-like) were prepared and examined in their performances as an anode of a Li-ion battery. The first two beads were prepared from naphthalene isotropic pitch without any inert materials, and the next two were from the same pitch by adding isotropic and anisotropic coke grains as inert materials, respectively. The last one was prepared from coal tar pitch. Textures of graphitized MCMB were found to be influential on their anodic performances especially their cycle stability. A particular MCMB with longitude-like with disclination was the best in its cyclability whereas Brooks/Taylor was worst, although their charge/discharge potential profiles were much the same regardless of MCMB textures. Their discharge capacity ranged from 282 to 300 mAh/g, according to the graphitization extent, the uni-chromatic sphere showing the largest capacity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.