A NEXAFS determination of the electronic structure of carbons for lithium-ion cells Original Research Article

We have applied the near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) technique to investigate the electronic and structural properties of specialty carbonaceous materials and anode electrodes made from the synthesized carbons. The carbon K-edge features of the carbonaceous materials were characterized by two relatively sharp resonances at 286 and 293 eV and a broad peak centered at 305 eV. A peak at 288 eV is related to the C–H* interaction and the relative intensity of this peak is higher for those samples prepared with pyrene as the carbon precursor. Oxygen and Li K-edges were also determined. The electrochemical performance of the carbon anodes is compared and related to the electronic and structural features of the NEXAFS spectra.