A new class of lithium-ion battery using sulfurized carbon anode from polyacrylonitrile and lithium manganese oxide cathode

Lithium metal has been considered as a potential anode material than those currently used to increase the energy density of lithium ion battery. However, lithium metal anodes suffer from destructive dendrite formation, which causes safety concerns. Anodes with high capacity and safe handling are needed. The sulfurized carbon anode from polyacrylonitrile (S-C(PAN)) composite has been used as a cathode in lithium sulfur batteries. Instead, when the S-C(PAN) is used as an anode and paired with LMO, the full cell delivers an energy density of 185 Wh kg((s.c (PAN)+LMO))(-1) at 1 C within the voltage range from 1 to 3.2 V. The full cell (S-C(PAN)parallel to LMO) is characterized by a reversible discharge capacity of 1378 mAh g(-1) s and 868 mAh g(-1) s at 0.1 C and 2 C, respectively. At 1 C, a retention capacity of 807 mAh g(-1) s is achieved at the 400th cycle with an average decay rate of 0.7 mAh g(-1) s*cycle(-1) and average coulombic efficiency of 99.5%. Interfacial chemistry of S-C(PAN) anode is particularly investigated and S-C(PAN) is demonstrated as one interesting anode material, alternative to lithium metal, due to its high theoretical capacity of sulfur (1675 mAh g(-1)), environmental friendliness, low cost, and high energy density.