Electrochemical performance of carbide-derived carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Carbide-derived carbons (CDCs), part of a large family of carbon materials derived from carbide, are attractive for energy-related applications, such as batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Pore textures (micro-, meso-, and macro-pores) and structures (from amorphous to highly ordered graphite) of CDCs can be controlled by changing the synthesis conditions and carbide precursor. Adequate control of the carbon structure, and the porosity in terms of application as an anode can be exploited to maximize the electrochemical capacity in a lithium ion batteries. In this study, the use of CDC as anodes by chlorine treatment of B4C and TiC7N3 in a synthesis temperature range from 600 °C to 1200 °C has been explored. The discharge capacity of TiC7N3-CDC reaches the highest value, 462 mA h g−1, at 100 cycles, which is 25% higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite (375 mA h g−1). B4C-CDC meanwhile affords a value of 453 mA h g−1 at 100 cycles. These results show that B4C-CDC and TiC7N3-CDC have excellent potential as the negative electrode in Li battery applications, and can be exposed to a practical low synthesis temperature range of 600–1200 °C. B4C-CDC and TiC7N3-CDC can also provide 2–3 times better performance than existing graphite or hard carbon for lithium battery systems.

► Carbide-derived carbon (CDC) was synthesized by Cl2 treatment of B4C and TiC7N3.
► The CDC was applied to anode of Li-ion battery.
► The capacity of TiC7N3-CDC reaches the highest value, 462 mA h g−1 at 100 cycles.
► B4C-CDC@800 °C Cl2 possesses 453 mA h g−1 at 100 cycles.