Boronated mesophase pitch coke for lithium insertion

Boronated carbons from mesophase pitch have been used as materials for lithium storage in Li/carbon cells. Doping by boron has been realized by co-pyrolysis of coal tar pitch with the pyridine–borane complex. Amount of boron in mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) varied from 1.4 to 1.8 wt.% affecting the texture of carbon. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffractograms have shown tendency to more disordered structure for boron-doped carbon. The values of specific reversible capacity (x) varied from 0.7 to 1.1 depending significantly on the final temperature of pyrolysis (700–1150°C). The optimal charge/discharge performance was observed for boronated carbon heated at 1000°C.