Laser-Induced Coal-Based Porous Graphene as Anode Toward Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Graphene is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its unique properties.
• Challenges with graphene anodes include complex preparation, high cost, and aggregation, limiting their performance.
• Existing graphene-based materials like N-doped rGO and rGO films show lower capacities compared to graphite.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective and efficient method for preparing porous graphene-based materials for LIB anodes.
• To investigate the electrochemical performance of these novel materials in LIBs.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional graphene anode preparation and aggregation issues.

Main Methods:

• A laser-induced strategy was employed using bituminous coal as a precursor.
• Porous graphene-based materials (LIG-B) were synthesized with a foam-like structure and enlarged interlayer spacing.
• Electrochemical performance was evaluated as an anode material for LIBs, including specific capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability.

Main Results:

• LIG-B demonstrated a high specific capacity of 400 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹.
• Exceptional cycling stability was observed, retaining 95.0% of initial capacity after 900 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹.
• Superior rate capability was shown, maintaining 220 mAh g⁻¹ at a high current density of 2000 mA g⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The laser-induced porous graphene-based material (LIG-B) offers a viable, low-cost alternative to conventional graphene anodes.
• The material's structure facilitates fast ion and electron transport, leading to high performance in LIBs.
• This approach provides a scalable method for producing advanced anode materials for next-generation energy storage.