Highly Graphitized Coal Tar Pitch-Derived Porous Carbon as High-Performance Lithium Storage Materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Porous carbon is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high specific capacity and rate performance.
• However, existing porous carbons often exhibit poor structural stability and electrical conductivity, limiting their practical application.
• Developing advanced porous carbon structures is crucial for enhancing LIB performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare coal tar pitch-derived porous carbon (CTP-X) with a hierarchical porous structure using a calcium carbonate nanoparticle template method.
• To investigate the electrochemical properties of CTP-X as an anode material for LIBs.
• To evaluate the potential of utilizing coal tar pitch for sustainable and high-performance LIB anodes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of porous carbon using a calcium carbonate nanoparticle template method with coal tar pitch.
• Characterization of the hierarchical porous network structure (macroporous-mesoporous-microporous).
• Electrochemical testing of the CTP-2 anode in LIBs, including charge-discharge cycling, rate capability, and long-term cycling stability tests.

Main Results:

• The prepared CTP-X exhibits a well-developed hierarchical porous network structure.
• The CTP-2 anode demonstrated a high charge capacity of 496.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹.
• Excellent rate performance was observed, with 413.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 500 mA g⁻¹, and remarkable cycling stability with ~100% capacity retention after 1,000 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The hierarchical porous structure of CTP-X enhances Li⁺ storage, reduces resistance, and promotes rapid ion transport.
• Coal tar pitch-derived porous carbon is a viable and high-performance anode material for LIBs.
• The clean and large-scale utilization of coal tar pitch offers a sustainable pathway for developing advanced LIB anodes.