Improving the electrochemical properties of carbon anodes in lithium secondary batteries

The electrochemical properties of carbon anodes in lithium secondary batteries are improved by the addition of vanadium as V₂O₅. The action of the added V₂O₅ is different from that obtained by incorporating a nonmetallic element such as nitrogen, boron, phosphorous or silicon. Because it can increase the distance between the 002 planes of the carbon and act as nucleating agent that promotes the formation of a layer-like carbon structure, V₂O₅, not only enlarges the carbon anode's reversible capacity of lithium storage but also improves the cycling behavior.