An activated microporous carbon prepared from phenol-melamine-formaldehyde resin for lithium ion battery anode

Microporous carbon anode materials were prepared from phenol-melamine-formaldehyde resin by ZnCl2 and KOH activation. The physicochemical properties of the obtained carbon materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and elemental analysis. The electrochemical properties of the microporous carbon as anode materials in lithium ion secondary batteries were evaluated. At a current density of 100 mA g(-1), the carbon without activation shows a first discharge capacity of 515 mAh g(-1). After activation, the capacity improved obviously. The first discharge capacity of the carbon prepared by ZnCl2 and KOH activation was 1010 and 2085 mAh g(-1), respectively. The reversible capacity of the carbon prepared by KOH activation was still as high as 717 mAh g(-1) after 20 cycles, which was much better than that activated by ZnCl2. These results demonstrated that it may be a promising candidate as an anode material for lithium ion secondary batteries. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.