Spherical Carbon‐Coated Natural Graphite as a Lithium‐Ion Battery‐Anode Material

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are the most convenient form of electrical storage. But their natural-graphite anodes are not compatible with propylene carbonate-based electrolytes. The edge planes of the graphite are attacked by the electrolyte, whereas the basal planes remain inert. A technique can be applied to form spherical graphite particles, which maximize the basal-plane exposure while the edge planes remain hidden (see picture). Thus only a small amount of carbon coating is now needed to protect the graphite core from the electrolyte.