Eco-conversion of coal into a nonporous graphite for high-performance anodes of lithium-ion batteries

Porous carbons are always proposed as electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); however, their high porosity and large surface areas lead to severe side reactions with electrolytes. Here, a new kind of nonnanopore carbon was designed for the anode material of LIBs. It was prepared from catalytic synthesis of a porous carbon from coal followed with graphitization. The graphitization removes the micro/mesopores of the porous carbon, and creates a new kind of carbon with very limited porosity and defects, which can evade side reactions with electrolytes. The resultant structure of the material can facilitate ion transport, provide a good conductivity, and alleviate the stresses experienced in repeated charge/discharge. The material exhibits excellent lithiumstorage properties, including a high reversible capacity of 347 mAh g(-1) and high cycling stability (no capacity fading during 1000 cycles). The material might be an alternative to artificial graphite considering its facile preparation and excellent performance. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.