Preparation and electrochemical properties of nitrogen-doped starch hard carbon anode materials for lithium-ion battery

TL;DR

This study develops nitrogen-doped hard carbon from corn starch as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating improved capacity and rate performance due to nitrogen incorporation affecting microstructure and electrochemical properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nitrogen doping method in starch-derived hard carbon, enhancing electrochemical performance for lithium-ion battery anodes.

Findings

First discharge capacity exceeds 426.35 mAh g-1.

Nitrogen doping improves rate performance.

Reversible capacity of 122.04 mAh g-1 at 2 C rate.

Abstract

Here, we report the synthesis of hard carbon materials(CSH) made from corn starch and their application as an anode in lithium-ion batteries. The study shows that the Microstructure and electrochemical properties of CSHs are affected by nitrogen doping. It is found that nitrogen is embedded in the carbon layer with graphite nitrogen, pyridine nitrogen, and pyrrole nitrogen, so as to the surface morphology was changed and reduced the disorder of the materials. The electrochemical test results show that the introduction of nitrogen elements can increase the reversible capacity of the material, with the first discharge capacity reaching above 426.35 mAh g-1, and the rate performance also improves. When triethylenetetramine and pre-carbonized corn starch are carbonized at a mass ratio of 1:9, the obtained material has a reversible capacity of 122.04 mAh g-1 at a rate of 2 C. During the carbonization process, the nitrogen in triethylenetetramine is doped into the carbon materials, improving the electrochemical performance of the material. Keywords: Lithium-ion battery; Hard carbon; Corn starch; Nitrogen doping;