Preparation and electrochemical characterizations of poly(3,4-dioxyethylenethiophene)/LiCoO2 composite cathode in lithium-ion battery

A composite electrode material, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/LiCoO2-carbon fibers (VGCF) from a continuous process of electrochemical deposition of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer on the pre-formed LiCoO2-VGCF electrode, was prepared and characterized to test its applicability in lithium-ion battery. Compared to the bare LiCoO2-VGCF electrode, use of PEDOT/LiCoO2-VGCF composite as cathode in lithium-ion battery has enhanced properties such as the cyclability, electrochemical stability, intercalation/deintercalation rate of lithium ion and rate capability. Scanning electron microscope shows the successful coating of PEDOT on the LiCoO2 particles and the VGCF fibers. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans of the charged cathodes show that incorporation of PEDOT reduces the thermal stability of the cathode.