Effects of morphology on the properties of carbon anodes

The morphology of low-temperature carbon prepared from melamine resin and p olyacrylonitrile was modified by the introduction of additives which act as setting agents. Measurement of scanning electron micrographs and reversibl e capacity of the carbon materials as anodes for lithium secondary batterie s shows that the obtained graphite-like layer structure with higher regular ity favors lithium intercalation. Consequently, the reversible capacity is enhanced, and the enhancement increases with the amount of additives. The e ffects of macroscopic structure on the electrochemical properties are demon strated in the charging profiles. (C) 1999 The Electrochemical Society. S10 99-0062(98)05-083-4. All rights reserved.