Anode materials for lithium ion batteries from mild oxidation of natural graphite

Mild oxidation of a natural graphite in an ammonium peroxydisulfate solution yields promising anode materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, high resolution electron microscopy and surface area measurements provided results suggesting that oxidation eliminates some reactive structural defects in this graphite. In addition, the surface of natural graphite is recoated with a dense layer of dioxides forming an effective passivating film to prevent the decomposition of electrolyte and the movement of graphene molecules along its a-axis. Consequently, its thermostability and the EPR signal increase. In addition, the numbers of nanosized pores and channels increases, which provide more inlets and outlets for lithium intercalation and deintercalation and more sites for lithium storage. As a result, the reversible lithium capacity and the coulombic efficiency in the first cycle increase significantly and the cycling behaviour improves markedly. The reproducibility of product properties can be well controlled, and this method is promising for industry.