Optimizing pyrolysis of resin carbon for anode of lithium ion batteries

Pyrolytic resin carbon anode for lithoum ion batteries was prepared from thermosetting phenolic resin. Pyrolysis of the primary phenolic resin and the dewatered one was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Structures and characteristics of the carbon materials were determined by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmer-Teller surface area analysis and electrochemical measurements. With the increase of pyrolyzing temperature and soaking time, the resin carbon material has larger crystallite sizes of L-c and L-a, lower specific surface area, smaller irreversible capacity and higher initial coulombic efficiency. The pyrolyzing temperature and soaking time are optimized to be 1050 degrees C and 2 h. The resin carbon anode obtained under the optimum conditions shows good electrochemical performances with reversible capacity of 387 mA center dot h/g and initial coulombic efficiency of 69.1%.