Mechanism of lithium storage in low temperature carbon

Through measurement of the intensity of the EPR signal of carbon anodes at different discharge and charge potentials, a micropore mechanism is suggest ed for the storage of lithium in low temperature carbons (LTCs), and it is further confirmed by results from the addition of pore-genic agent and intr oduction of crosslinker DVB into addition polymers PAN and P(4-VP). The siz e of micropores acting effectively as 'reservoirs' for lithium storage is s uggested to be below 100 nm. The phenomena, which are characteristic in LTC s such as voltage hysteresis and capacity fading, are explained through the suggested mechanism. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.