MECHANISMS FOR LITHIUM INSERTION IN CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS

Lithium can be inserted reversibly within most carbonaceous materials. The physical mechanism for this insertion depends on the carbon type. Lithium intercalates in layered carbons such as graphite, and it adso rbs on the surfaces of single carbon layers in nongraphitizable hard c arbons. Lithium also appears to reversibly bind near hydrogen atoms in carbonaceous materials containing substantial hydrogen, which are mad e by heating organic precursors to temperatures near 700 degrees C. Ea ch of these three classes of materials appears suitable for use in adv anced lithium batteries.