A novel activated nitrogen-containing carbon anode material for lithium secondary batteries

A novel activated nitrogen-containing carbon anode material has been prepared by carbonization and activation of phenol-melamine-formaldehyde resin which is synthesized by the condensation polymerization method. The physicochemical properties of the carbon were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement. Lithium storage performances have been analyzed by galvanostatic charge/discharge and cycle performance. The carbonization sample shows a first discharge capacity of 515 mAh g(-1). After activation, the first discharge capacity is up to 917 mAh g(-1), the reversible capacity is still as high as 251 MAh g(-1) after 20 cycles. It may be a promising candidate as anode material for lithium secondary batteries. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.