A NEXAFS determination of the electronic structure of carbons for lithium-ion cells

We have applied the near-edge X-ray absorption line structure (NEXAFS) tech nique to investigate the electronic and structural properties of specialty carbonaceous materials and anode electrodes made from the synthesized carbo ns. The carbon K-edge features of the carbonaceous materials were character ized by two relatively sharp resonances at 286 and 293 eV and a broad peak centered at 305 eV. A peak at 288 eV is related to the C-H* interaction and the relative intensity of this peak is higher for those samples prepared w ith pyrene as the carbon precursor. Oxygen and Li K-edges were also determi ned. The electrochemical performance of the carbon anodes is compared and r elated to the electronic and structural features of the NEXAFS spectra. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.