The Performance Enhancement of Silicon Anode by Carbon Nanoballs from Arc Discharge

A novel carbon nanoball material with mixed structure including a great quantity of graphite layers and disordered structure was obtained from the mixture of highly pure graphite and pyrolyzed pitch by arc discharge. The microstructure of the carbon nano-balls was determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectrum analysis. The electrochemical property of the obtained carbon nanoballs used as conductive additive for silicon electrode of lithium ion batteries was investigated for the first time. The capability and cyclability of silicon composite electrode were enhanced dramatically by the addition of carbon nanoballs. This was beneficial from the mixed microstructure of graphitization layers and amorphous structure of carbon nanoballs.