High Capacity and Excellent Stability of Lithium Ion Battery Anode Using Interface-Controlled Binder-Free Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Copper

Abstract

We present a novel binder-free multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) structure as an anode in Li ion batteries. The interface-controlled MWCNT structure, synthesized through a two-step process of catalyst deposition and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and directly grown on a copper current collector, showed very high specific capacity, almost three times as that of graphite, excellent rate capability even at a charging/discharging rate of 3 C, and no capacity degradation up to 50 cycles. Significantly enhanced properties of this anode could be related to high Li ion intercalation on the carbon nanotube walls, strong bonding with the substrate, and excellent conductivity.

Aluminum-based materials for advanced battery systems

“…CNTs are highlighted as the possible electrode materials [64][65][66][67]. The Al2O3-coated CNTs have been successfully prepared on a copper substrate and tested as a LIB anode [68].…”

Enhanced 3-Dimensional Carbon Nanotube Based Anodes for Li-ion Battery Applications

“…by catalytic thermal CVD and demonstrated excellent properties for application in LIB electrodes [34]. An MWCNT grown on Cu anode showed very high specific capacity (for the second discharge cycle, it was 1,455 mAhg -1 ) and exceptional stability of the reversible capacity (~ 900 mAhg -1 ) at 1C rate, as presented in Figure 11.…”

“…In the past, our research team demonstrated outstanding performance of MWCNT-based binder-free anodes in terms of high specific capacity, excellent rate capability and extremely low or nil capacity degradation during long cycle operation [34][35]. However, carbon nano-materials are known as low-density materials that result in low volumetric capacity and low volumetric energy/power density.…”

“…Finally, the gun shutter was opened for starting the deposition of the catalytic metal on the substrate. After deposition of catalytic thin film across the desired time line, sputtering power and gas flow were turned off and Ti (~10 nm thickness)/Ni (2.5-10 nm thickness) deposited substrates were taken out through the load lock system [34,[71][72]. Table III represents the standard process condition used for Ti and Ni thin film deposition over the Cu substrate.…”

“…(d) Coulombic efficiency of the MWNT-on-Cu anode, showing very high efficiency, except for the first cycle. After the initial five cycles, the efficiency remained more than 99% [34]…………………………………………………………………..…………………………. 29 .…”