A low-cost and one-step synthesis of N-doped monolithic quasi-graphene films with porous carbon frameworks for Li-ion batteries

We report the fabrication of monolithic quasi-graphene film with porous carbon frameworks (GPF), both nitrogen-doped, by a one-step pyrolysis of commercial filter membrane, and demonstrate its improved performance in Li-ion storage compared to commercial graphite. Several advantageous features (porous framework and its integrity with the quasi-graphene, N doping) of this new electrode are manifested by its high-rate and long-cycling rechargeable Li-ion storage. A high reversible capacity of 493 mA h g(-1) is achieved at a rate of 0.1 degrees C. And at a fast charge/discharge rate of 30 degrees C, the GPF electrode delivers a capacity of 220 mA h g(-1), which can last for up to 5000 cycles with nearly no capacity fading. We also demonstrate the GPF as a new type of current collector for active materials with improved mass loading and rate performance. The fabrication is cost effective, highly efficient, and scalable, and thus may pave way to new carbonaceous materials for high-performance energy storage. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.