Title: Electrochemical properties of graphitic carbon nitrides

Authors: A. Belen Jorge; F. Corà; A. Sella; P.F. McMillan; Daniel J.L. Brett

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK ' Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK ' Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK ' Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK ' Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the current devices of choice for portable energy storage applications; however, improvements in energy and power densities are required to sustain future more demanding tasks, such as those associated with automotive transport. Commercially, LIB anodes are typically made from graphitic carbon-based systems that present bottlenecks associated with surface passivation and slow intercalation kinetics. We have investigated layered/graphitic carbon nitrides (gCNMs) as alternative anode materials; their unique structure and chemistry enable new intercalation processes not available for pure-C graphite. Our gCNMs are prepared from C, N-containing precursors treated at different temperatures. Cyclic voltammetry showed clear oxidation/reduction cycles in the 0.5-1.5 V range indicating that Li⁺ intercalation took place resulting in electric conduction properties of the previously semiconducting material. Higher reaction temperatures lead to buckling of the graphitic layers and consequent loss of planarity, with a negative effect on their electrochemical performance.

Keywords: lithium-ion batteries; LIBs; electrodes; LIB anodes; graphite; graphitic carbon nitride; electrochemical properties; portable energy storage; anode materials; intercalation; electric conduction; semiconducting materia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2014.063784

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2014 Vol.11 No.9/10/11, pp.737 - 746

Published online: 14 Jan 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article