Mesoporous activated carbon from corn stalk core for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Chemical physics Vol. 506; pp. 10 - 16
• Main Authors: Li, Yi, Li, Chun, Qi, Hui, Yu, Kaifeng, Liang, Ce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 27.04.2018
• Subjects: Corn stalk core; High capacity; Lithium ion batteries; Mesoporous structure; Lithium ion batteries; High capacity; Mesoporous structure; Corn stalk core
• ISSN: 0301-0104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2018.03.027

We illustrate the SEM and TEM images of porous active carbon using a facile and effective method. In this method, corn stalk core was decomposited and carbonized under an inert gas atmosphere, and then activated by KOH solution. The sample surface with many folds has a different degree of pore structure after activated. The main small pore size lies in the 2–10 nm range. The porous activated carbon as lithium ion batteries(LIBs) anodes showed a high reversible capacity of 504 mAg−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2C. The cycling performance of the active carbon anode has been improved significantly. The electrochemical performance of the activated carbon was significantly improved in comparison with that of unactivated carbon, which was due to its multi-scale pore distribution and amorphous structure. In summary, this facile and effective method for the preparation of porous activated carbons offers a new route as powerful application in LIBs. [Display omitted] •A novel porous activated carbon (AC) derived from corn stalk core is prepared via a facile and effective method.•The activated carbon anode possesses excellent reversible capacity of 504 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2C. A novel mesoporous activated carbon (AC) derived from corn stalk core is prepared via a facile and effective method which including the decomposition and carbonization of corn stalk core under an inert gas atmosphere and further activation process with KOH solution. The mesoporous activated carbon (AC) is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements. These biomass waste derived from activated carbon is proved to be promising anode materials for high specific capacity lithium ion batteries. The activated carbon anode possesses excellent reversible capacity of 504 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2C. Compared with the unactivated carbon (UAC), the electrochemical performance of activated carbon is significantly improved due to its mesoporous structure.