Synthesis of morphology-controlled carbon hollow particles by carbonization of resorcinol–formaldehyde precursor microspheres and applications in lithium-ion batteries

The morphology-controlled carbon hollow particles, derived from resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) particles, were prepared by using an (oil phase) O/(water phase) W/(oil phase) O inverse-emulsion system which was formed by adding RF precursor (water phase) to n-hexane (oil phase) with Span-80 as surfactant and the following carbonization. This simple method led to the formation of various morphologies of RF carbon precursor particles such as hollow spheres, bowl-like hollow structures, microcapsules, or solid microspheres by adjusting the pH values of the RF precursor. The synthesized carbon particles exhibited porous characters with the surface area of 659 m2 g−1 and the total pore volume of 0.44 cm3 g−1. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of the typical RF carbon particles in lithium-ion batteries revealed that the RF carbon microcapsules displayed a high initial discharge capacity of 1059 mAh g−1 and stabilized at about 330 mAh g−1, indicating its excellent power property and cycle durability.

► Resorcinol–formaldehyde hollow particles could be obtained by inverse suspension method.
► The morphologies of RF carbon precursor particles could be controlled by adjusting the pH values of the RF precursor.
► The prepared carbon hollow particles, which derived from resorcinol–formaldehyde, exhibited microporous properties.
► The RF carbon microcapsules displayed excellent power property and cycle durability.