Carbons for Lithium Battery Applications Prepared Using Sepiolite as Inorganic Template

Carbon anodes for Li‐ion cells were prepared by the in situ polymerization of olefins such as propylene and ethylene in the channels of a sepiolite clay mineral. Upon dissolution of the inorganic framework, a disordered carbon was obtained. The carbon was tested as an anode in coin cells, yielding an average reversible capacity of 633 mAh/g discounting the first cycle, which is 1.70 times higher than the capacity delivered by graphitic carbon assuming 100% efficiency. The coulombic efficiency was higher than 90%. Morphologies of the clay, carbon/clay composite, and final carbon were examined by TEM. The structure of the carbon and its electrochemical performance were monitored in situ by small angle x‐ray scattering.