Derek Fray

Abstract:

Graphite has been the traditional anode material in lithium ion batteries but this material cannot possibly meet the expectations for high energy and high power batteries. Disordered and especially nanostructured forms of carbon offer the possibility of higher reversible capacity. However, a much greater capacity can be achieved by using tin and silicon anodes but these suffer from large volume changes on charge and discharge which need to be controlled. Containing the metals inside carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles is one way of overcoming this problem. Other solutions include nanostructured materials based upon carbon, metal oxides and metal phosphides/nitrides/sulphides, all offering high surface areas, low diffusion coefficients coupled with high electrical and ionic conductivities. This paper reviews the progress towards the production and characterisation of these novel nanostructured materials for use as novel anodes in lithium ion batteries.