Electrochemical behavior of an advanced graphite whisker anodic electrode for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries

Graphite whiskers, produced by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., (sample code 2GWH-2A) have been investigated with respect to their electrochemical characteristics in different types of liquid electrolytes: LiClO4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiBF4, LiCF3SO3 in ethylene carbonate-diethyl carbonate and in solid electrolytes. A high capacity (363 mAh/g) is obtained when a liquid electrolyte was used and 330 mAh/g at 80 °C in the case of a polymer electrolyte. The coulombic efficiency during the first cycle is lower when polymer electrolyte is used. 2GWH-2A shows very different performances in LiClO4 and in LiPF6 electrolytes. The degree of intercalation depends upon of the nature of the binder, composition of the electrode and electrolyte. The color of the carbon electrode also changed from black to gold in the presence of some lithium salt electrolytes, when lithium was fully intercalated into the electrode. The galvanostatic charge/discharge tests show a large plateau near 0 V. On measuring the slow cyclic voltammogram of the 2GWH-2A, five cathodic peaks were observed.