The electrochemical performance of carbon-aerogel-based nanocomposite anodes compound with graphites for lithium-ion cells

Carbon aerogels are nanostructure porous carbon materials that are derived via a sol—gel process with resorcinol and formaldehyde and subsequent pyrolysis of the precursor aerogels. Due to their high surface area, electrically conducting network, and chemical inertness, carbon aerogels can be considered ideal electrodes in rechargeable batteries. In this article, nanocomposite carbon anodes were prepared using carbon aerogels powders and graphite powders and the compound powders and binder, separately. With different carbon anodes and with lithium metal foil as the cathode, half-cells were made. Electrochemical measurements of the lithium intercalation properties for carbon aerogels were performed under high-purity argon in a glove box. The model cells showed that the initial charge capacity is 1135 mAh/g, and nanocomposite carbon anodes revealed better properties. This was due to the carbon aerogels’ electrically conducting network in order to provide good access of Li+ ions and electrons to active material.