Electrochemical intercalation of lithium into raw and mild oxide-treated carbon nanotubes prepared by CVD

Abstract

The raw carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were used in electrochemical lithiation. To remove the impurity the mild oxidation was done on the samples. The electrochemical characteristics of the two samples are investigated by the galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The structural and interfacial changes of the CNTs electrode were analyzed by XRD and FT-IR. The samples show a reversibility of lithium intercalation and de-intercalation. The reversible capacities of the first five cycles are larger than 300 mAh/g and the irreversible capacity of the first cycle was much larger than that mentioned in literatures. There is no identical change in the structure during the charge and discharge. The reactions at the interface between electrode and the electrolyte are similar to those of other carbonaceous materials.

Keywords

carbon nanotubes / electrochemical lithiation / oxidation / reversible capacity

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