Improved carbon anode for lithium batteries - Pretreatment of carbon particles in a polyelectrolyte solution

A novel approach to reduce irreversible Li loss due to carbon anode passiva tion is described. The graphite particles for use as anode material are pre treated in an aqueous solution of a polyelectrolyte. The polyelectrolyte (g elatin) molecules adsorb onto the particle surface and have a significant i mpact on anode passivation, as well as on the binding properties of the car bon particles, i.e., gelatin also serves as a particle binder. The reversib le capacity of pretreated electrodes is similar to the reversible capacity of conventional electrodes, but the irreversible capacity losses are much s maller and limited to the first charge/discharge cycle. (C) 2000 The Electr ochemical Society. S1099-0062(99)12-044-3. All rights reserved.