This study found for the first time
that F– anions
can be electrochemically inserted or deinserted into or from carbon-based
materials, respectively, using a combination of graphite fluoride
(GF) and a Li-based organic electrolyte with a suitably high potential
(>5.0 V vs Li+/Li). The GF materials used in this study
produced amorphous carbon and LiF after the first discharge, with
a discharge capacity of 600 mAh g–1 that was almost
in line with the theoretical value (about 630 mAh g–1). As determined by subsequent electrochemical measurements, a reversible
charge or discharge capacity of ∼200 mAh g–1 in addition to a Coulombic efficiency of ∼86% and a capacity
retention of ∼85% after 30 cycles were observed within a potential
range of 1.5–5.3 V. Various analyses clearly demonstrate that
the electrochemical properties resulted from the reversible insertion
and deinsertion of F– anions into and from amorphous
carbon formed in the GF cathode, respectively, which was triggered
by the formation of LiF, the source of the F– anions.