Effect of carbonization temperature on the lithium storage performances of porous Sb/C nanocomposite

Abstract

In the present study, Sb/C nanocomposites have been synthesized using citrate-gel method in combination with a carbonization process at different temperatures in N2 gas. At reasonable carbonization temperatures, the porous Sb/C nanocomposites with novel foam like-interconnected three-dimensional structure, which is built-up by nanosized Sb particles covered by a carbon shell, are obtained. Among the synthesized composites, the Sb/C-600 sample, which is calcinated at 600 oC, exhibit the best lithium storage. At a discharge-charge rate of 0.1 C, the Sb/C-600 electrode can supply an initial reversible specific capacity of 640.7 mA h g-1, 1.7 times higher than the theoretical specific capacity of graphite anode. During 100 cycles, the electrode shows a slight capacity decay with 0.0348% of loss capacity per cycle. Because of this featured architecture, the Sb/C nanocomposites severe as anode material with enhanced lithium storage performances for rechargeable lithium ion batteries.