Graphite electrodes with tailored porosity for rechargeable ion-transfer batteries

A correlation between porosity and electrochemical behavior of thin graphite electrodes has been found. To enlarge the electrode/electrolyte interface area and thus to enhance the maximum current density. LiCl and NH4HCO3 were used as pore-forming additives during the preparation of graphite electrodes. By adjusting the porosity, the electrochemical performance of graphite electrodes was improved. The porosity optimization led to not, vert, similar500 μm thick graphite electrodes. Up to 30 cycles at 1.5 mA/cm2 (about 50 μA/mg C) have been performed on a number of these electrodes, confirming that a stable specific charge of > 300 Ah/kg (with respect to the graphite mass) can be achieved. Moreover, the irreversible charge loss in the first cycle was moderate, typically only not, vert, similar20% of the charge for lithium de-intercalation.