Porous Li2C8H4O4 coated with N-doped carbon by using CVD as an anode material for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Lithium terephthalate (Li₂C₈H₄O₄) and its carboxylate-based derivatives have been proposed as advanced organic anodes for low cost lithium/sodium ion batteries. One of the key barriers for practical application is poor rate capability due to the intrinsic low electronic conductivity of most organic materials at room temperature. To overcome this issue, porous microspheres consisting of Li₂C₈H₄O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by a common spray drying method for the first time. Furthermore, a straight-forward surface coating technique was developed using urea powder as nitrogen and carbon sources simultaneously. Consequently, a N-doped carbon layer was uniformly coated onto nanostructured Li₂C₈H₄O₄ electroactive material at 400 °C by chemical vapor deposition. The composite electrode displays excellent electrochemical performance under high current rate even at room temperature.