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In situ graphitized hard carbon xerogel: A promising high-performance anode material for Li-ion batteries

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Abstract

To address the challenges of capacity fading and poor electronic conductivity of hard carbons as anode in Li-ion batteries (LIBs), we report here the catalytic graphitization of resorcinol–formaldehyde xerogel (RFX)-derived hard carbon via a single-step synthesis by incorporating two transition metal catalysts (Co and Ni) with different loadings (5 and 10%) at a modest temperature of 1100 °C. Loading of both the catalysts affects the extent of graphitization and other physiochemical properties that have a direct influence on the anodic performance of as graphitized RFX-derived hard carbon. A 10% Ni catalyst in RFX-derived carbon induces the highest degree of graphitization of 81.4% along with partial amorphous carbon and nickel phases. This improved crystallinity was conducive enough to facilitate rapid electron and Li-ion transfer while the amorphous carbon phase contributed to higher specific capacity, resulting in overall best anodic performance as ever reported for RFX-derived carbon. A specific capacity of 578 mAh/g obtained after 210 cycles at 0.2 C with coulombic efficiency greater than 99% confirms the potential of graphitized RFX-derived carbon as an anode for high-performance LIBs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the SERB Young Scientist Scheme and IMPRINT I 7035 project of MHRD and Dept. of Heavy Industries, Govt. of India, for the financial grant to carry out this work. We also acknowledge Central University, Hyderabad for Raman spectroscopy and FESEM facilities.

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  1. Creative & Advanced Research Based on Nanomaterials (CARBON) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, 502285, Telangana, India

    Mayur M. Gaikwad & Chandra S. Sharma

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  1. Mayur M. Gaikwad
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  2. Chandra S. Sharma
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Correspondence to Mayur M. Gaikwad.

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Gaikwad, M.M., Sharma, C.S. In situ graphitized hard carbon xerogel: A promising high-performance anode material for Li-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Research 35, 2989–3003 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2020.293

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