Poly(acrylonitrile) encapsulated graphite as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Novel surface modification approach for graphite anode of lithium ion batteries was developed in this study. Poly(acrylonitrile) was in situ encapsulated on the surface of natural graphite (N-graphite) particles via radiation-initiated polymerization. The graphite obtained shows a large improvement in electrochemical performance such as initial Coulombic efficiency and cycleability compared with the original N-graphite. The structural stability of graphite surface is enhanced due to the fact that encapsulated poly(acrylonitrile) can depress the co-intercalation of solvated lithium ion.